What does leadership mean to you?
To me, leadership means creating an environment where individuals feel empowered, supported, and motivated, allowing the group to collectively work towards a common purpose with a shared vision. Leadership is about being in service to the group and the purpose.
What do you see as the key attributes of great leadership?
Key attributes are adaptability, listening skills, self-awareness, resilience, and care - for oneself, for others, and for society as a whole.
What do you find most rewarding about leading?
For me, the most rewarding part of leadership is seeing others grow, develop, and take on new opportunities.
What have been your greatest leadership challenges and how have you overcome them?
My greatest leadership challenges have been around finding business environments where I could lead authentically with a mandate to explore value creation beyond profit maximization and potentially make mistakes. I overcame by adapting, compromising, and playing it safe, but ultimately removing myself from environments where it wasn’t possible to lead authentically. Along the way, I worked to understand what truly matters to me in leadership and culture, and how to navigate the tension between flexibility and staying true to my values.
How have you enriched your own leadership experience?
I’ve enriched my experience by leading in a variety of roles and diverse environments. This has included professional roles and volunteer roles; in for-profit and not-for-profit organisations; and with broad goals and specific deliverables. I’ve had the opportunity to lead in different countries and with international teams; leading teams, an organization, and multiple organizations within a coalition. Each of these experiences has taught me something new about myself and leadership.
Additionally, I’ve worked with several coaches and participated in group learning experiences, all of which have provided valuable insights. These diverse opportunities have allowed my leadership style to continually evolve.
How has your view of leadership changed over time?
Initially, I experienced a lot of collaborative leadership in empowering environments which allowed me to thrive. These were often in not-for-profit or informal environments. The leadership I experienced in business was much more directive with dominant leaders asserting control. I started to believe that was the type of leadership needed for success in profit-led organisations.
Today, I value environments that empower others and am clearer on my definition of success as a leader. I believe that leadership is a form of service beyond titles and organizational boundaries and I believe there is strength in demonstrating vulnerability and care. I also recognize that different situations and people require different styles of leadership and part of the art of leading is being able to adapt and communicate this to build trust with those being led.
What advice would you give to emerging leaders?
The best way to learn is by taking action. Seek opportunities to lead and step into them - don’t wait for a title or permission. Make space for continuous reflection and actively create diverse opportunities to grow and evolve your leadership style, whilst being aware of your impact on those you are leading.
Jess Hackett - Coordinator, Coalition for Impact
For nearly 20 years, Jess advised international families from a law firm, family office, and a trust company. During this time, Jess held a variety of professional and voluntary leadership roles. Over time, Jess became increasingly aware of the disconnect between wealth, advice, and values. This realization led her to explore ways of working and leading outside traditional structures to explore how wealth can be leveraged as a force for systemic change. Currently, Jess coordinates the Coalition for Impact, a network of impactful networks, with a focus on financial systems change.