After nearly two decades in the corporate world and reaching the very C-suite milestone she once dreamed of, Laura-Jane Murphy found herself asking a question many high-achieving women quietly carry — is this truly fulfilling? Today, as an executive coach and leadership facilitator, Laura works closely with individuals and teams to help them reconnect with purpose, self-awareness, and authentic leadership. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Laura’s journey as it resonates deeply with our global community of 5M+ women navigating ambition, identity, and growth in often male-dominated professional spaces.
What inspired you to move from a corporate career into coaching?
I spent about 19 years in the corporate sector, working my way up from admin roles to the C-suite. For the longest time, my goal was to reach executive leadership by the age of 40 — and when I finally got there, I thought I had arrived. But after a couple of years, I began questioning what was next. I realised that my fulfillment wasn’t in the title or the power that came with it — it was in helping people. I had become so far removed from what actually motivated me: connection, growth, and supporting others. At 39, I made the decision to leave everything I knew behind and explore a new path.
How did you begin building your journey in coaching?
When COVID hit, it gave me the time and mental space to reflect on what I wanted to do next. I began integrating my corporate experience into coaching and mentoring — focusing on how individuals engage with others, build self-awareness, and navigate both their strengths and vulnerabilities. I truly believe that the person you are at work is the same person you are in your personal life, so understanding yourself becomes key to overcoming challenges in both spaces.
What were some of the challenges you faced while establishing yourself?
Starting independently meant I had to figure out what I wanted to fix or solve for others based on my own professional journey — the successes as well as the mistakes. I spent a lot of time learning, reading, and certifying myself to ensure I could guide people meaningfully. One of the biggest hurdles was working as a consultant — you can offer ideas and solutions, but you can’t always stay long enough to see them through. That was difficult for someone like me who was used to fixing things end-to-end. Eventually, I realised I wanted to be part of something bigger and more consistent, which led me to where I am now.
How has your approach to leadership evolved over time?
Initially, I focused on coaching senior leadership teams. But over time, I realised that if we want to influence future leaders, we need to start much earlier. Developing leadership capabilities at foundational levels creates a stronger pipeline of confident, self-aware individuals who can grow into those roles authentically.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Many corporate environments are still male-dominated, and women often face the challenge of balancing assertiveness with perception. Being confident can sometimes be misinterpreted as being too emotional or passionate. Women also frequently experience imposter syndrome — questioning whether they’re good enough or doing the right thing. Empowerment has to start internally. We need to understand our own blockers, own our strengths, and be willing to step outside our comfort zones. You may make mistakes — but you will also have the ability to pick yourself up and navigate forward.
“Understand where your power is, know what you bring to the table, and be proud of it — everything else can be navigated.”
Connect with Laura-Jane Murphy
LinkedIn: Laura-Jane Murphy | LinkedIn
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