This article was based on the interview with Jess Keeney of Duck Creek Technologies by Greg Kihlström, MarTech keynote speaker for The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström podcast. Listen to the original episode here:
Leadership is about empowering others. This is a concept that is often overlooked or misunderstood in many organizations. However, it is a crucial aspect of effective leadership. Empowering others means giving them the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed and grow. It means trusting them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. It means creating a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
In the podcast transcript, Jess Keeney, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Duck Creek Technologies, shares her insights on leadership and how her upbringing and experiences have shaped her as a leader. She mentions that her upbringing in a family of public school teachers and her involvement in team sports taught her the importance of working together and rallying around a common cause. This early exposure to leadership roles and the experience of being a team player laid the foundation for her leadership style.
One key aspect of Jess’s leadership style is her ability to seek out and fix misalignment. She naturally gravitates towards projects and situations where there is a need for leadership and where she can empower others to succeed. She takes on strategic projects and challenges that others might perceive as risky, but she sees them as opportunities to make a difference and drive positive change. She believes that people enjoy being led and she takes pleasure in teaching and empowering others to improve their leadership skills.
Empowering others is not about exerting control or micromanaging. It is about creating an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best. It involves providing clear expectations, offering guidance and mentorship, and recognizing and celebrating achievements. It also means giving people the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them.
When leaders empower others, they foster a culture of innovation and creativity. They encourage individuals to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and bring new ideas to the table. This not only benefits the organization but also helps individuals grow and develop their skills and capabilities.
Leadership is about empowering others. It is about creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and contribute their best. Leaders like Jess Keeney understand the importance of empowering others and seek out opportunities to make a difference and empower those around them. By doing so, they create a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and success.
