Podcast: Redundancy to Reinvention (Lucy Lin’s Story)
Redundancy to Reinvention: Nonlinear Career & Leadership Journey in Emerging Tech (Lucy Lin Story)
Why I Flipped the Mic on Myself
“Today’s episode is a little different. Instead of sitting in the interviewer’s chair on Emerging Tech Unpacked, I’m crossing the microphone to share my own career story, in full, with you.”
For a long time, I was more comfortable shining a light on other people’s stories - founders, innovators, scientists and technologists doing incredible work behind the scenes. But as I kept building Forestlyn, Emerging Tech Unpacked, and my broader portfolio career, one theme kept coming up in conversations:
“How did you actually get here?”
This podcast episode and this article are my answer. It’s the story behind the LinkedIn profile: the migration, the risks, the redundancy, the pivots and the experiments that shaped my leadership journey in emerging technology, education and inclusion.
Lesson 1: The Power of Nonlinear Career Paths
“I’ve lived and worked in 5 countries on 4 continents, and here are my top 3 career takeaways.”
My journey started as a six‑year‑old migrant from Taipei, Taiwan, landing in Adelaide, Australia with almost no English. From there, it took me to:
Western Sydney, where I grew up in one of Australia’s most multicultural regions.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where I chose a Communications degree because “everybody needs to communicate - I might as well be good at it.”
Japan, where I taught English and discovered how powerful it is to slow down, simplify language, and create psychologically safe spaces for people learning something new.
London, where I worked in a magic‑circle law firm, Linklaters, helping move knowledge from paper files into a global intranet.
Innovation roles back in Sydney, a Master's degree in Commerce (majoring in Marketing and Strategic Management) from the University of Sydney, a strategic partnerships role in Canada, before returning again to Australia to lead regional teams.
On paper, it looks “random.” In reality, there’s a clear thread: curiosity, communication and a willingness to say yes to stretch opportunities before everything is perfectly mapped out.
As I say in the episode, “You don’t need a straight line to create meaningful impact - you just need to follow your curiosity and say yes to the right stretch opportunities.”
Lesson 2: Redundancy as a Turning Point, Not an Ending
For most of my career, I was the one choosing my next move. That changed when a leadership reshuffle and organisational restructure led to my role being made redundant.
Redundancy is still loaded with stigma, but it’s increasingly common - especially in a world shaped by economic shocks, digital transformation and now AI. It can feel personal, even when it isn’t.
For me, the turning point came when I reframed the questions I was asking myself. Instead of staying stuck in:
“Why is this happening to me?”
I shifted to:
“What matters to me?”
“What kind of impact do I actually want to have?”
“What kind of life and work model fits my need for variety, flexibility and purpose?”
That mindset shift opened the door to a portfolio career:
Building Forestlyn, my innovation marketing and communications consultancy.
Taking on ecosystem‑building work, including inclusive innovation programs for diverse founders and women in Western Sydney.
Stepping into governance and advisory roles, and currently the Vice Chair of the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Launching the Emerging Tech Unpacked podcast to demystify and provide education about emerging technologies, and highlight future skills and STEM career pathways.
Redundancy hurts, but it can also be a catalyst. In my case, it forced me to design my work around my values, not the other way around.
Lesson 3: Communication Is the Basis of Leadership
“Communication is not a soft skill; it is a power skill.”
If there’s one through‑line across every country, role and industry I’ve worked in, it’s communication. From teaching English as a second language in Japan to translating complex products in financial services and emerging tech, my work has always been about turning complexity into clarity.
Leadership, to me, is communication in action.
In the episode, I share this definition:
“A leader turns ideas and intent into shared understanding, action and trust.”
You can’t do that without strong, conscious communication. That means:
Knowing when to simplify and when to go deep.
Adapting your style across cultures and contexts.
Avoiding jargon and explaining emerging technologies in human language.
Creating psychologically safe environments where people are not afraid to ask questions, make mistakes and grow.
Using stories to align people around a shared vision.
This is also why Emerging Tech Unpacked exists: to cut through jargon, challenge myths, and make sure more people, especially women and underrepresented communities, can see themselves in the future of STEM.
Why This Story Matters for You
Whether you see yourself as a founder, an aspiring leader, a mid‑career professional at a crossroads, or a student trying to choose a path, I hope my story gives you permission to:
Trust that a nonlinear path can still be strategic and powerful.
See redundancy or disruption as a possible pivot point, not just a setback.
Treat communication as a core leadership capability worth investing in.
As I share in the episode:
“Your journey doesn’t need to be perfect on a résumé to be meaningful - it just needs to feel aligned with your values and the kind of impact you want to have.”
If this resonates, you can:
Listen to the podcast episode, “Redundancy to Reinvention with an Innovation Leader,” on Emerging Tech Unpacked (links below).
Take this quiz about how to rebrand yourself in career transitions and reinventions:
Reflect on this question:
“What is one part of your own journey that you’re ready to reframe, from setback to stepping stone, starting today?”
And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear your answer in the comments or via message - your odyssey is just as important as mine.
Listen to the Podcast Episode: Redundancy to Reinvention with an Innovation Leader
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q0eTijPwZqk
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redundancy-to-reinvention-nonlinear-career-leadership/id1734061980?i=1000746769668
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0yL9UVTilYG3MO6uSA4mVw?si=3e0dda3616d443c7
Subscribe to Emerging Tech Unpacked on your favourite podcast platform or watch the episode on YouTube. Visit our website to learn more and join the conversation on social media!
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