Episode Summary: Ep. 13 – How to Build a Career You Love, with Lindsay Trout
Released on March 24, 2025
In Episode 13 of The Leadership Dance, host Alissa Hsu Lynch engages in a profound conversation with Lindsay Trout, a senior partner at Agon Zender. Drawing from Lindsay's extensive experience in leadership advisory and digital transformation, the episode delves into the intricacies of building a fulfilling career, overcoming professional barriers, and evolving as a leader in today's dynamic business landscape.
Early Life and Influences
Childhood in Charleston
Lindsay begins by sharing her upbringing in Charleston, South Carolina, a community she describes as "hospitable" yet "confined" due to its small-town dynamics. Growing up amidst strict etiquette and debutante training, Lindsay felt both safe and constrained. This environment fostered her adventurous spirit, pushing her to seek opportunities beyond her immediate surroundings.
“I think that was perfect because it stretches you from kind of an environment of shoulds to kind of a context of coulds.”
— Lindsay Trout [02:02]
Pushing Boundaries
From a young age, Lindsay sought to expand her horizons, attending summer programs in Alaska and China to break free from the limitations of Charleston. These experiences instilled in her a mantra that continues to guide her: “Be wary of feeling should. Right? And you need to kind of strip that sense of duty and empower yourself around what you could do.”
Career Journey and Pivotal Moments
Embracing Serendipity
Lindsay emphasizes the importance of leaving room for serendipity in one’s career. Starting at JPMorgan Chase's leadership development program in 2000, she was thrust into the midst of the dot-com boom and the Chase-JPMorgan merger. This period was pivotal, allowing her to absorb the complexities of technological integration and leadership during a transformative era.
“I have no idea what I was getting myself into and feel only blessed that this is kind of what I found.”
— Lindsay Trout [06:47]
Transition to Agon Zender
Joining Agon Zender was a leap of faith for Lindsay, as she had no prior experience in executive search. However, her passion for project-based work and solving complex problems drew her to the firm. At Agon Zender, Lindsay focuses on advising companies on leadership decisions, board composition, and succession planning, valuing the human connections and relational aspect of her role.
“It's not the solutions, it's the people.”
— Lindsay Trout [09:07]
Evolving Leadership in the Digital Age
Courage and Curiosity as Core Attributes
Lindsay discusses how leadership has evolved, especially in the context of digital transformation. She identifies courage and curiosity as essential traits for modern leaders. Courage enables leaders to make tough decisions amid uncertainty, while curiosity fosters self-awareness and continuous learning.
“The leader of today is to pursue insight and listen so that they can understand choices and find their courage, apply their courage and curiosity to make a decision.”
— Lindsay Trout [09:32]
Balancing Omniscience with Insight
Contrary to past expectations of leaders needing to be omniscient, today's leadership thrives on seeking insights and collaborative understanding. Leaders are encouraged to embrace humility and acknowledge that they don't have all the answers, focusing instead on fostering a culture of learning and adaptability.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Today
From Mandate to Optionality
Lindsay provides a candid assessment of the current state of DEI. Initially, DEI was an underground movement followed by a period of heightened social awareness that made diversity initiatives mandatory. However, she laments a recent regression where DEI conversations have become optional again, observing a concerning decline in priority among leaders.
“Unfortunately, now it's completely optional. I am aghast, honestly, at how absent it is in the conversations.”
— Lindsay Trout [20:57]
Commitment Amid Reversal
Despite the setbacks, Lindsay remains committed to DEI principles, advocating for steadfastness in areas of principle even when trends sway. She underscores the importance of maintaining dedication to diversity and inclusion to serve diverse consumer bases effectively.
Overcoming Career Barriers and Finding Her Voice
Navigating Personal Challenges
Lindsay shares personal challenges she faced early in her tenure at Agon Zender, notably balancing motherhood with a demanding career. At 32, she became pregnant and feared judgment from her employer. Contrary to her fears, she received overwhelming support, which reinforced her belief in integrating personal life with professional responsibilities without seeking permission.
“I did not ask for permission. And I hope that other people feel empowered to do that and can lean on the merits of their impact.”
— Lindsay Trout [12:46]
Managing Perceptions
As a petite and youthful woman in a senior role, Lindsay has had to manage perceptions regarding her energy and maturity. She emphasizes the importance of presenting a full spectrum of her capabilities—balancing playful energy with strategic insight—to ensure she is seen as a comprehensive leader.
“I make sure that they see that full spectrum and a little bit of the polarity in that, which people do find in me.”
— Lindsay Trout [15:57]
Receiving and Reflecting on Feedback
Early in her career, Lindsay received feedback about her Southern accent and her direct meeting style. While initially challenging, she reflected on the constructive intent behind the feedback, adapting her approach without compromising her authenticity.
“I think that there's something around coaching each other for understanding that maybe you might have limitations, maybe you may not be as strong in certain areas, but there's middle grounds that are probably going to be more sincere.”
— Lindsay Trout [17:39]
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Redefining Balance Through Teaming
Rejecting the traditional notion of work-life balance, Lindsay adopts a "teaming" approach with her family. By involving her daughters in her daily experiences and decision-making processes, she creates an integrated and supportive environment that accommodates both her professional and personal responsibilities.
“I can't say balance, but I'm trying to make it all work and integrate it as best I can.”
— Lindsay Trout [25:21]
Learning from Family
Anecdotes about her children’s support, such as her daughter Ella encouraging her to re-record a podcast due to technical issues, highlight the reciprocal learning and support within her family dynamics.
“Women supporting women. And you know what? You can get great advice from a little 13 year old.”
— Lindsay Trout [28:07]
Advice for Building a Passionate Career
Pursue What Brings Joy
Lindsay reiterates the importance of engaging in work that one enjoys. She advises individuals to reflect on what brings them joy and structure their careers around those elements.
“Don't get good at things you don't enjoy. That is just so spot on.”
— Lindsay Trout [28:31]
Embrace Gratitude and Presence
Emphasizing the significance of being present, Lindsay encourages embracing gratitude for the current moment rather than constantly striving for the next big opportunity. She believes that finding contentment in today’s achievements fosters a more fulfilling career journey.
“Enough is enough. I see so many people I work with... have the absolute greatest gratitude around that which we have, which is this moment.”
— Lindsay Trout [28:31]
Highlighting Competencies and Potential
For those seeking to break into new fields or advance their careers, Lindsay advises focusing on core competencies and potential. She highlights qualities such as curiosity, insight, determination, and engagement as key areas to showcase one's ability to adapt and excel, even without direct experience in a specific domain.
“With competencies, you know, what are the threads that have made you successful?... And for potential, there's curiosity, insight, determination, and engagement.”
— Lindsay Trout [25:13]
Conclusion: Embracing Your Leadership Dance
Throughout the episode, Lindsay Trout embodies the essence of The Leadership Dance—choreographing a career that harmonizes personal fulfillment with professional excellence. Her journey underscores the value of courage, curiosity, authenticity, and supportive relationships in building a career one loves. Lindsay’s insights provide invaluable guidance for aspiring leaders navigating the complexities of today’s business world while staying true to themselves.
“Listen to people's stories and really understand them.”
— Lindsay Trout [06:47]
Key Takeaways:
- Self-Awareness: Understand what brings you joy and structure your career around it.
- Courage and Curiosity: Essential traits for modern leadership.
- DEI Commitment: Maintain dedication to diversity and inclusion despite external shifts.
- Authenticity: Balance professional growth with personal authenticity.
- Family Support: Integrate personal life with professional responsibilities through supportive relationships.
- Competencies and Potential: Focus on core strengths and potential to navigate career transitions.
Lindsay Trout’s experiences and advice offer a roadmap for individuals aiming to build meaningful and impactful careers, emphasizing the dance between personal passion and professional ambition.
For those interested in exploring how to choreograph the career of their dreams and gaining insights from visionary leaders, The Leadership Dance with Alissa Hsu Lynch is a must-listen.