20: From Compliance to Culture: How Real Leadership Development Sticks | Kellie Macpherson

What does it really take to develop leaders who don’t just check boxes—but truly transform teams and organizations? In this energizing episode, host Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Kellie Macpherson, Executive Vice President of Compliance and Risk Management at Radian Generation, for a candid look at building leadership programs that actually stick. From leveraging AI in compliance-heavy environments to practical coaching strategies and creating cultures of feedback and kindness, Kellie shares proven lessons from her work with technical and emerging leaders. If you want actionable insight on leadership pipelines, coaching moments, fostering innovation inside process-driven industries, and building trust-based cultures, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to encourage innovation—even in the most compliance-heavy organizations. Kellie’s favorite ways to leverage AI for technical writing and operational excellence. The art of in-the-moment coaching: why real-time feedback and “explaining the why” make lessons stick. Best practices for developing technical experts into people leaders—through modeling, permission, and soft-skill development. Why kindness, respect, and relationship-building are non-negotiable values for sustainable leadership cultures. How to assess coachability, navigate resistance, and create safe opportunities for new leaders to step up. “Big rocks,” boot camps, and TED Talks: How Kellie plans a year of learning that supports talent at every level. Timestamps:  00:01 – Welcome & intro to The Learnit Lounge  01:40 – Meet Kellie Macpherson & her industry impact  02:44 – Encouraging innovation in compliance-driven environments  03:55 – Using AI tools to level up technical writing and efficiency  06:37 – Why business storytelling is key for technical teams  08:22 – Openness vs. protectionism in sharing knowledge  10:18 – Lessons from coaching emerging and underrepresented leaders  11:10 – Real-time feedback and building coaching relationships  12:41 – Relationship-building as the foundation for feedback  13:57 – Modeling feedback and soliciting “gentle honesty”  14:51 – Coaching technical experts into strong people leaders  16:51 – Infusing company values and soft skills  18:30 – Shifting hierarchical mindsets: assessing coachability  20:03 – Creating chances for new leaders to “own the room”  22:19 – How to resource, upskill, and coach emerging leaders  23:23 – Kellie’s strategy for planning a year of training and offsites  29:21 – “Hold it loosely”: adapting learning to business realities  31:42 – Breaking silos with TED Talks and onboarding bootcamps  31:59 – The uncomfortable truth about leadership development  34:37 – Why leadership programs will never land for everyone—and why that’s OK  35:25 – How to connect with Kellie & keep the conversation going About Kellie Macpherson Kellie Macpherson is the Executive Vice President of Compliance and Risk Management at Radian Generation, where she oversees NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) compliance and managed security services. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the renewable asset sector, Kellie has implemented over 200 compliance programs and completed 40+ NERC audits across all six regional entities. Known for her transparent, consultative approach and commitment to coaching the next generation of leaders—especially women in underrepresented fields—Kellie champions innovation, clarity, and kindness at every turn.  Resources Mentioned: Kellie Macpherson on LinkedIn Radian Generation Website North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ – Daniel Goleman (referenced as training content) Learnit Website Mickey Fitch-Collins on LinkedIn Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: [email protected] Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.