Torch

Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, discusses her journey from Salesforce to Torch, emphasizing the importance of executive coaching and leadership development. She highlights Torch's unique approach, which pairs former leaders as coaches with employees, providing context-specific coaching. Heather shares insights on the current challenges leaders face, such as balancing results and employee care and the impact of AI on leadership. She also outlines Torch's future plans, including creating a continuous learning loop between organizations and leaders to foster organizational evolution. Heather stresses the importance of executive presence and advocates for a humble, authentic leadership style. Link to watch/listen in the first comment below. #podcast #collab #collaboration #business #LeadAtTheTopOfYourGame #Leadership #successionplanning #mentoring #CEO

👀 Not all coaching creates change. Some conversations feel good in the moment—but leave leaders right where they started. At Torch, we believe the difference lies in who’s guiding the journey. 🧭 Coaches who’ve lived leadership don’t just offer advice—they offer perspective. They’ve made the tough calls. Led through uncertainty. Learned through experience. In our latest post, Torch’s Director of Coaching Experience, Kathryn Coyle, PCC, shares how lived experience transforms coaching—and what to look for in a provider if you want real impact, not just reflection. 📖 Read the blog: Been there, led that: Why lived experience makes better coaches https://lnkd.in/eCinsiFY 💬 Have you ever had a coach—or mentor—who truly got what you were up against? What made them stand out? Let us know in the comments 👇 #leadershipcoaching #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #futureofwork

🎙️ Can coaching help leaders hold the tension between results and people? Our CEO says yes—and she’s lived it. Torch CEO Heather Conklin recently joined The Future of Teamwork podcast to share her journey from leading product teams at Salesforce to becoming a first-time CEO—fueled by a passion for coaching and building leaders who evolve as fast as the world around them. In this episode, Heather dives into:  🔁 The false choice between driving performance and supporting your team 🤝  How coaching built her capacity to lead through complexity (not just manage it) 🧠 Why modern leadership demands more than just skills—it takes real mindset shifts 📈 How Torch coaching connects individual growth to organizational goals One of our favorite moments? When Heather reflects on “the upgrade” coaching gave her as a leader—and how that same shift is transforming leaders across the organizations we work with. 🎧 Tune in to hear what redefining leadership looks like from the inside out: https://lnkd.in/eXmhKMzX #LeadershipDevelopment #Coaching #FutureOfWork

💡 You know coaching works. But does your CFO? Getting buy-in for leadership coaching isn’t just about budget—it’s about showing how it drives results across the business. Our new guide breaks down 5 proven strategies to help you:  ✅ Make a clear, data-backed case ✅ Engage the right stakeholders early ✅ Connect coaching to real business outcomes Whether you’re launching a new initiative or expanding an existing one, this will help you answer the tough questions—before they’re even asked. 👇 What’s been your biggest challenge getting leadership coaching approved? Let’s swap stories. 📥 Download the guide:https://lnkd.in/eUE5Pzr8 #leadershipdevelopment #coaching #businessimpact #L&D #HR #executivecoaching

👾 AI is transforming leadership—and no one has all the answers. Our CEO, Heather Conklin, shared a powerful article on what this means for leaders today. The takeaway? Success won’t belong to those who know the most—it will belong to those who can learn, adapt, and create together. In her latest post, Heather explores why this moment demands leaders who: ⭐ Guide teams through uncertainty—without pretending to have it all figured out ⭐ Create environments where experimentation isn’t punished by fear ⭐ Help organizations stay agile in the face of constant change Read the full article for deeper insights. 👇 What’s been your biggest leadership challenge with AI so far? #LeadershipDevelopment #AI #FutureOfWork

😎 The Future is Bright: Insights from Torch's 2025 company offsite Last week in San Diego, our team reconnected around our core value: "The future is bright." For us, this isn't about blind optimism—it's about the commitment that we can and will create better futures through deliberate action and collective effort. Some meaningful moments from our time together: 🤗 Showing up fully for each other created space for both vulnerability and bold thinking about tomorrow's challenges ⌛ Our discussions focused not just on what's working today, but how we'll evolve with the changing landscape ⚡ Cross-functional collaboration brought diverse viewpoints to complex challenges, reminding us that the best solutions emerge when different perspectives unite These connections reinforce why we do this work: when people unite around a shared mission, with trust and vision as fuel, we all glow brighter together. How does your team create space for both honesty and hope in your work? #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamConnection #TheFutureIsBright

AI is Redefining Leadership—Are Leaders Ready? 📊 26% of leaders across industries—and nearly 40% in Tech & Engineering—say their biggest challenge is leading with confidence through AI and new technologies. The real challenge? AI isn’t just changing how we work. It’s changing how we lead. This isn’t just about implementing new tools. It’s about rethinking how teams collaborate, make decisions, and drive impact in an AI-powered world. And right now, many leaders don’t feel equipped for the shift. So how do leaders close the gap between AI disruption and human leadership? That’s exactly what our Leadership Evolution Report unpacks. 🔗 Get early access here: https://lnkd.in/e5KEgn3w What’s the biggest leadership shift AI has forced in your world? Drop your thoughts below 👇 and repost. #AI #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

🥳 We're so excited to be in the top 100 on Forbes list of America's Best Startup Employers! Check out the update from our CEO, Heather Conklin 🔥

🚨 Leadership Reality Check 🚨 Frontline managers are 3x more likely than senior leaders to see AI as a daily operational challenge rather than a strategic opportunity. That’s a leadership disconnect we can’t ignore. Executives see AI’s potential. Managers deal with its reality—navigating adoption, workflow disruptions, and team concerns in real time. Closing this gap isn’t just about technology—it’s about leadership. How do we bridge the divide? Our Leadership Evolution Report breaks it down. Join the waitlist to get the full insights first: https://lnkd.in/e5KEgn3w What’s your experience? Are AI’s leadership challenges more operational or strategic in your world? Drop your thoughts below and repost! #AI #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

🚨 What’s the biggest leadership challenge in 2025? We recently surveyed almost 600 leaders across different industries, functions, and roles for our upcoming Leadership Evolution report, and the findings are eye-opening. Here’s a sneak peek at what we uncovered: 🤖 AI is creating a leadership divide. Some leaders are all-in, while others aren’t sure where to start—causing a major gap in AI readiness. 🤝 Trust is make-or-break. When trust is strong, innovation thrives. When it’s missing, change stalls. 🥺 The leadership confidence gap is growing. Senior leaders feel prepared, but mid-level managers and frontline leaders are struggling to keep up. 💥 Human connection still wins. Even as AI reshapes work, the best leaders are those who build trust, empower their teams, and create space for innovation. 🧭 One-size-fits-all leadership development isn’t cutting it. Leaders are asking for smarter, more personalized support to navigate these challenges. 📘 The full report drops soon, packed with data and insights to help leaders stay ahead of change. Sign up for the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/e5KEgn3w #LeadershipReport #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #AI