S3 EP3: Han Solo or Princess Leia- Leadership, AI and Adaptability with Rory McLaren.

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Rory McLaren - Technology and Product Leader In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Rory McLaren for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, adaptability, confidence and learning how to navigate change. Rory shares his journey from growing up in a remote ex-mining village in Scotland to becoming a Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of a successful startup, before transitioning into leadership within a much larger global corporate environment following an acquisition. Together, Julie and Rory explore the culture shock of moving from a fast-paced startup into a complex international organisation, and how coaching helped Rory develop the tools, confidence and self-awareness to lead more effectively. Julie and Rory discuss: Moving from technical expert to strategic leader Learning to influence without authority Imposter syndrome and feeling out of place in corporate environments The value of adaptability in leadership Why asking "stupid questions" can drive innovation and psychological safety Understanding personality differences through Myers-Briggs Reactive versus proactive leadership styles Building confidence through coaching and role play The importance of curiosity, learning and sharing knowledge AI, coaching and why human relationships still matter Rory also reflects on his shift from "Han Solo" leadership, reactive and firefighting, to a calmer, more intentional and strategic "Princess Leia" approach. This episode is a fascinating conversation about leadership in modern organisations, the power of curiosity, and why human connection and adaptability will remain essential in a rapidly changing world. If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or  Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here. And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School. To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery. Resources Mentioned ·      Myers-Briggs personality frameworks ·      Insights Discovery personality frameworks Connect with Julie Website:  lightingfires.co.uk Email:      [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley