At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe's guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
At the Coalface
Athanasia Shinas - Where Service Meets Self: A Senior Military Logistician on Purpose and Leadership
In this episode, I sit down with Athanasia Shinas just hours after her graduation from The Fletcher School to reflect on her remarkable 28-year career as a senior military logistics officer. What begins as a conversation about career choices, from a childhood love of archaeology to joining ROTC, evolves into a deeply personal exploration of leadership, service, and growth. Athanasia shares how she fell in love with the mission, the challenges of commanding through complexity, and the importance of understanding what truly motivates people. We explore the power of the ladder of inference, what setbacks teach us, and learning to live with loss.
Recorded on 20 May 2025.
Connect with Athanasia on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/athanasia-shinas-79672a65.
Instagram: @at.the.coalface
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