A Message from the Founder: Transforming Challenges into Purpose with ThrivUP
- Catherina Chang
- Dec 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2024
Author: Catherina Chang, Founder/CEO ThrivUP – November 28, 2024
ThrivUP was born out of a deeply personal and professional journey—one that revealed the extraordinary power of human connection and resilience in navigating transformative challenges.
My story began at Wits Business School in South Africa, during a time when the nation was undergoing its profound transition under late President Nelson Mandela’s leadership. Witnessing the end of apartheid and the birth of democracy taught me that empathy, collaboration, resilience, and inclusion are not just ideals but powerful tools for uniting people and driving meaningful change. These experiences shaped my belief that leadership is about more than strategy—it’s about inspiring and empowering others to thrive.
Throughout my career, I had the privilege of working with global giants like SABMiller and The Coca-Cola Company, leading ambitious business and digital transformations.
The Iconic Castle Lager Rebranding: Impact on a Nation
A pivotal moment came when I was part of the team that repositioned Castle Lager, South Africa’s iconic beer brand, as a symbol of unity and authenticity. This was more than a marketing success. It reinforced my belief that when business goals align with human connection, the impact can transcend financial success—it can shape culture and inspire a shared vision.
Leading 14,000 Employees Through Post-Acquisition Transformation
A defining moment in my career came during my time in China with The Coca-Cola Company, where I led one of its most complex transformations following an acquisition. Guiding over 14,000 employees across regions, functions, and systems was a monumental challenge that demanded not just strategic clarity but profound human connection across diverse cultures and a shared vision.
I vividly recall standing before a room of senior leaders and asking, “What does success look like for us?” The dialogue that followed was transformative. It brought clarity to our purpose, fostered trust, and united the team around a shared goal. By breaking down silos, embracing multi-cultural perspectives, and fostering collaboration, we turned overwhelming complexities into actionable steps, creating an environment where people and ideas could thrive.
Key Insights from Leading Transformation
From this experience, I learned that successful transformation requires:
Human-centered dialogues: Building trust through authentic, inclusive conversations across levels and cultures.
Integrated approaches: Aligning business models, leadership, and cultural shifts to drive cohesive change.
Cultural transformation: Empowering teams to move from silos to collaboration and from hierarchy to shared ownership.
Clarity and accountability: Defining clear roles and measurable goals tied to financial outcomes and long-term success.
Turning Impossibility into Triumph: Coca-Cola’s First Global Digital Go-Live
One of the most challenging yet rewarding roles of my career was leading Coca-Cola’s first global digital business transformation go-live in China. The stakes were incredibly high, with many warning that the risks. Yet, I saw it as an opportunity to create a unified digital collaboration platform that would enhance efficiency, decision-making, and scalability for the business.
The transformation wasn’t just about technology—it was about the people behind it. Working across continents and cultures, I partnered with multiple teams to align diverse perspectives and foster shared commitment to a common vision. Weekly dialogues, compassionate leadership, and finding ways to let individuals shine turned this "mission impossible" into a celebrated success, achieved just in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
One moment remains etched in my memory. On the morning of go-live, I gathered thousands of team members—some in person, others dialing in remotely. Sensing both anticipation and nervousness, I asked everyone to stand and hold hands. "Today," I said, "we are not just launching a digital system; we are beginning a new chapter together. Trust your preparation, trust each other, and trust the work we’ve done as one team. We are about to witness the victory!" The energy shifted in that room, and when the digital platform went live without a single issue reported, it felt like nothing short of a miracle.
The Role of Coaching and Advisory: A Personal Reflection
The success of the transformation came at a great personal cost. The relentless pressure and pace led to burnout, forcing me to pause and reflect. While I was proud of what we achieved, I often wondered: What if I had a trusted advisor or executive coach to support me through that journey?
Such a thought partner could have provided a psychologically safe space to reflect, prioritize, and navigate tough decisions while aligning my leadership with my well-being. They could have guided me from crisis management to long-term sustainability, ensuring I thrived as a leader—not just delivered results.
Today, I believe coaching and advisory support are essential for leaders navigating complexity. Together, they foster clarity, alignment, and collaboration, empowering leaders to inspire and drive meaningful change while delivering measurable outcomes.
These lessons became foundational to what ThrivUP represents today.
Why ThrivUP?
The journey from impossibility to triumph inspired ThrivUP’s purpose: to empower leaders and organizations to navigate transformation with confidence, clarity, and purpose. At ThrivUP, we believe transformation goes beyond technology and innovation—it’s about harnessing the synergy of human connection and technological advancement to create lasting impact.
We partner with leaders to unlock their potential, align their teams, and achieve measurable success. Through human-centered leadership, AI-enabled innovation, cybersecurity, and leadership development—including coaching—we provide actionable strategies that drive sustainable transformation in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
ThrivUP is built on principles of resilience, opportunity, and connecting the human and technological sides of transformation. Whether leading a digital initiative or reimagining your organization, we are here to walk alongside you, shaping a future where technology amplifies humanity and leadership drives meaningful change.
#LeadershipDevelopment, #DigitalTransformation, #AIEnabledBusinessTransformation, #ExecutiveCoaching, #HumanCenteredLeadership, #OrganizationalChangeManagement, #ChangeEnablement, #BurnoutRecoveryforLeaders, #TeamAlignment, #TeamCollaboration, #BusinessGrowthStrategies, #VisionaryLeadership, #BusinessTransformation, #DigitalTransformation, #OrganizationTransformation, #LeadershipTransformation, #SustainingTransformation, #ExecutiveCoachingforTransformation, #Coaching, #HumanBeings
Comments