Chief Change Officer #281 Irina Filippova: Courage Is the Career Plan
Irina Filippova is not here to perform change—she’s here to live it. From her early career as a Russian diplomat to her current role as COO of a BlackRock-backed energy transition venture, Irina has made a habit of rewriting the rules instead of following them. In this episode, she shares what it really means to be a self-starter in a world obsessed with shortcuts, how real leaders use courage to stay in integrity, and why the most meaningful change begins with inner work.
For anyone who’s tired of career templates and startup posturing, Irina offers something better: a real-time masterclass in designing a life and legacy on your own terms.
>>Built for Change—Literally
“I’ve never inherited a job. Every role, I created from scratch.”
Irina walks us through her journey from UN think tanks to BP’s rebrand to leading energy transition from the ground up—each step a reinvention by design.
>>Courage ≠ Chaos
“Leadership is courage. And courage means staying in integrity.”
Forget the bravado. Irina breaks down why real courage isn’t about reckless risk-taking—it’s about showing up, following through, and walking away when the values don’t align.
>>The Myth of the Unicorn
“We glorify unicorns—and then wonder why leaders burn out.”
Irina calls out the toxic myths in startup culture and shares a grounded vision for building businesses that last longer than a product cycle.
>>Change Starts Inside
“I thought I needed to change the world. Turns out, I needed to change myself first.”
Before she could consult CEOs, Irina had to rewire her own beliefs—thanks to deep inner work at the Jung Institute in Zurich. This is change leadership with a soul.
>>Electrifying a New Industry
“We provide the electric fuel. You focus on logistics. Simple.”
Now COO of Electrata, Irina explains her company’s mission to make clean energy logistics seamless for fleets—so the energy transition doesn’t get stuck in jargon or infrastructure nightmares.
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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Irina Filippova
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