5 for 55: The New Coke Lesson: 5 Leadership Lessons from a Famous Marketing Failure

5 for 55 is the weekly micro-podcast where Chellie Phillips shares one story, one leadership lesson, and one small shift you can apply immediately—in five minutes or less.  What happens when one of the world's most recognizable brands gets it wrong? In 1985, Coca-Cola replaced its iconic formula with New Coke. Just 79 days later, it reversed course after overwhelming customer backlash. Most people remember New Coke as a marketing failure. I see it as one of the greatest leadership lessons ever. In this episode of **5 for 55**, I share five practical leadership lessons inspired by the New Coke story, including why listening matters more than being right, how humility builds trust, and why change should always have a purpose. Plus, I'll leave you with one **One Small Shift** you can put into practice immediately. Because leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about being willing to listen. # What You'll Learn ✔️ Why listening is more valuable than assumptions ✔️ The danger of changing something simply because it's "new" ✔️ How admitting mistakes can actually strengthen trust ✔️ Why customer and employee feedback matters ✔️ One simple leadership habit to practice this week # One Small Shift This week's challenge: Instead of defending your next idea, ask: **"Help me understand what I'm missing."** You might be surprised by what you learn. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another leader, communicator, or friend. You can also connect with me at **chelliephillips.com** and subscribe to my **Culture, Coffee & Common Sense** newsletter for more practical leadership and communication insights. Remember... **Growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens one small shift at a time.** And there's **no speed limit on growth.** Thanks for listening. Grab the book the original podcast is based on at https://mybook.to/culturesecrets . Want more quick leadership tips? Sign up for my FREE bi-weekly newsletter: Coffee, Culture and Common Sense.   Check out my website www.chelliephillips.com for more great content. Follow me on LinkedIn.