Founder, Katie McLaughlin
Hi, I’m Katie.
I am passionate about creating a better world through happier workplaces and teams.
From my first startup experience in 2009, I was hooked! The startup world is exciting, bursting with energy, and opportunity. When startup culture is at its best, everyone’s contributing and striving towards a common goal.
But I was surprised at how many of these companies only “talked” about a great culture — and were undermining it with their actions. Leaving me and my peers frustrated and burnt out. As the face of the company for most new hires, I had to “sell the kool-aid” of why it was a great place to work — but I can’t sell kool-aid I don’t believe in.
Leaders are consistently failing their teams, and their companies failing their leaders with ineffective training and coaching.
I created McLaughlin Method to put an end to boring, theory-based training.
What we’ve been doing before: is not working.
Empathy & emotional intelligence are the most underused, underdeveloped skills. They are the key to stopping workplace hurt and reversing the pattern of triggering, toxic experiences that are rampant in the workplace today.
Work should be the place where your skills and whole-self shine.
“There is a better way to get business results — and lead — by putting people first.”
Results & Problems Tackled:
During my career leading training & enablement or change management at over 25 mid-stage startups, I have seen how difficult it can be to balance business results and the needs of your employees.
Common Startup Events Tackled:
slump in sales
new product launch
an influx of new hires
incorporating an acquisition
overhauling internal processes and systems
launching a satellite office
selling the company
I had to learn how to connect with team members of all backgrounds and teach them how to engage or perform regardless of what was thrown at them. Leveraging my theatre training to uncover hidden motivations or perspectives, plus my ease in facing tricky circumstances, I’ve consistently been able to get results.
By working with me, you benefit from all of the learnings, insights, and experience I bring from these companies.
Credentials At-A-Glance
Coaching & facilitating since 2005
2 Horizon Awards for Instructional Video & Training Sites
100s+ multi-session curriculums developed
1000s+ training sessions facilitated
Sought after as an expert guest on over 20 podcasts
Featured speaker at over 15 learning and talent industry events, webinars, or conference
Industry Experience: technology / software, retail, hospitality, legal, healthcare, enterprise technology, finance & banking, manufacturing
Content Expertise: culture transformation, curriculum development, training delivery, learning management, performance consulting, leadership development, sales, product development, user experience, change management
Theatre Methodology & Background
Completed BA in Theatre from Fairfield University
2007 Recipient of Mary Louise Larabee Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre
Trained in Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) techniques with founder Augusto Boal in NYC.
Authored Honors Thesis: “The Value of Theatre Offstage”
Katie combines techniques from TO, Image Theatre, improvisation into McLaughlin Method programming to take skill building and culture transformation farther than other facilitators.