From Diplomat to Leadership Coach | Leading Under Pressure with Jen Brown

What does it take to lead when everything around you is going wrong? And what happens when you realise that being a good leader doesn't mean having all the answers? In this episode of Let's Talk About, I'm joined by Jen Brown, a former US diplomat who spent 23 years in the Foreign Service before moving into leadership coaching. Jen shares some extraordinary experiences from her diplomatic career, including leading a team during the devastating 2016 earthquake in Ecuador and surviving an attempted carjacking while her young son was in the back of the car. But this conversation isn't just about crisis. It's about what those experiences taught her about leadership, communication, trust and knowing when to step back. Jen also shares her own experience of burnout and how working with a coach helped her recognise that she didn't need to solve every problem herself. Sometimes, the best thing a leader can do is give other people the confidence and opportunity to find their own solutions. IN THIS EPISODE • Why leaders often feel they must have all the answers • How trying to solve everything can lead to burnout • What Jen learnt about leadership during the Ecuador earthquake • The difference between reacting and responding • How emotional triggers affect communication and decision-making • Why self-awareness is the starting point for effective leadership • Building trust before difficult conversations • How coaching questions develop confidence and independence • Why listening and checking understanding matter across cultures • Negotiating with people who have different priorities and perspectives THREE LESSONS TO TAKE AWAY 1. Leadership starts with you. Understanding your strengths, emotional triggers, assumptions and communication style helps you lead more effectively. 2. Trust changes difficult conversations. When people know you care about them and feel respected, it becomes easier to work through conflict and challenges. 3. You don't have to solve everything. Creating space for other people to think, make decisions and develop their own solutions is an important part of leadership. Jen and I also discuss the similarities between diplomacy and hostage negotiation, including how connection, listening and trust create the foundations for influence. ABOUT MY GUEST – JEN BROWN Jen Brown spent 23 years in the US Foreign Service, working extensively on Latin American issues and leading teams through challenging situations. Today, she runs Journey of Grace Coaching, supporting leaders, business owners and organisations to build leadership capacity, develop stronger teams and communicate more effectively. Connect with Jen: 🌐 Website: https://www.journeyofgracecoaching.com/ 💼 LinkedIn:   / jenbrown-coach   📸 Instagram:   / journeyofgracecoaching   🎙️ Ripple Effect Leadership Podcast:    / @rippleeffectleadershippodcast   ABOUT NICKY PERFECT I'm Nicky Perfect BEM, a former hostage and crisis negotiator, former Director of UK National Negotiator Training, keynote speaker, communication coach and author of *Crisis*. Through Let's Talk About, I explore life's toughest conversations and share practical lessons from people who have experienced extraordinary situations. Find out more: https://www.thecommunicationcoach.co.uk https://www.nickyperfect.com If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. And let me know in the comments: What's the biggest leadership lesson you've learnt the hard way? #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipCoaching #EmotionalIntelligence #NickyPerfect