Lessons from Disney's Global Streaming to Coaching with Alina Doran

The Angel with Michael Conniff

In this episode of The Angel with Michael Conniff, Alina Doran, an executive coach and advisor, joins Michael to discuss strategies for success in matrixed organizations and coaching. Alina shares her journey from a corporate career at the Walt Disney Company to pursuing her lifelong dream of coaching. They delve into the challenges of working in matrixed organizations, the importance of influence and visibility, and the dynamics of cross-functional teams.

Alina also reflects on her experiences at the New York Times during a tumultuous period of transition in the media industry, where she witnessed the evolution of digital strategies and the implementation of paywalls and subscription models. Throughout the conversation, Alina emphasizes the significance of authenticity, trust, and kindness in fostering productive work environments and achieving business results.

Key themes include:

• The intersection of personal and professional growth in coaching sessions.
• Strategies for building trust and influence in matrixed organizations.
• The impact of toxic behaviors on individual well-being and organizational performance.
• The evolution of digital media and the challenges of adapting to changing business models.
• The role of honesty, integrity, and authenticity in leadership and team dynamics.

3 Lessons

a. The Intersection of Personal and Professional Growth: Alina's journey underscores the importance of aligning personal values with professional aspirations. By pursuing her lifelong dream of coaching, she found fulfillment and success in a new career path. This highlights the significance of integrating personal growth with professional endeavors, emphasizing authenticity and staying true to oneself.

b. Building Trust and Influence in Matrixed Organizations: Alina discusses the challenges of working in matrixed organizations and emphasizes the importance of building trust and influence across diverse teams. This lesson underscores the value of effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills in navigating complex organizational structures.

c. Impact of Toxic Behaviors on Individual Well-being and Organizational Performance: Throughout the conversation, Alina stresses the detrimental effects of toxic behaviors on both individual well-being and organizational performance. This lesson highlights the importance of fostering positive work environments characterized by authenticity, trust, and kindness. Leaders and team members alike must prioritize creating a culture that promotes psychological safety and supports employee growth and development.

Alina shares insights from her journey and highlights the importance of aligning personal values with professional aspirations. As she continues to expand her coaching and advising business, she remains committed to helping individuals and organizations thrive in today's complex and dynamic work environments.