We were lucky to catch up with Jill Perrin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jill, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
I interviewed for a role at a F50 global company that was a significant promotion / role expansion. Given my prior leadership experience and training, I was a strong candidate who possessed key skills and knowledge that could be readily capitalized on. I interviewed successfully – with one hitch. In my wrap up interview, the HR liaison said “I was strong candidate for the role. There was a small concern about culture fit.” Inside I thought “That’s for me to discern, not you.” But they were on to something….
I got the ‘big job’, loved what I was doing with my team for the customers / building a business. YET, I took a beating with the culture.
2 positive things came out of it. 1) I learned that culture fit REALLY counts; 2) I hold deep empathy with the Sr. Executives I coach. They know ‘Jill get’s it! The enormous pressure.’ This helps quickly create an environment of psychological safety and trust.
Jill, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
1. about myself
I am an Executive Coach, Advisor, and Facilitator whose unparalleled expertise is backed by an MBA from Harvard Business School and a distinguished career as a Senior Leader at Fortune 100 companies, along with successful ventures in the startup realm.
Drawing from a diverse client base including leaders from Takeda, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Deloitte, Toyota, CBRE, Lyft, Delta, and Warner Brothers, I am adept at tailoring my coaching strategies to suit a range of needs, from CEOs spearheading organizational transformation to VPs navigating significant expansion of their roles.
I am a solopreneur living in Dallas, TX. I am the Founder and CEO of Unlocked Leadership, an executive coaching and advisory practice. I serve on the Board of the Harvard Business School-Dallas and run the women’s SIG. I’ve been married over 30 years and have 2 adult children, one in Health Care, the other in Tech. I love anything about Broadway, particularly the work of Stephen Sondheim. I’ve been blessed to travel around the world 2x.
2. how i got into coaching
Through my executive journey I realized my favorite part of leading was investing in people. I enjoyed promoting, developing, teaching, training, sponsoring, mentoring people (and the list goes on). Coaching was a logical next step where I could pour into people.
3. products and services i provide
I work with executives navigating pivotal moments in their leadership journey – whether they’re newly promoted, leading high visibility / high impact change initiatives, engaging with the board, or strategizing in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. My approach is multi-faceted, aimed at expanding leadership presence, boosting confidence, enhancing communication skills, refining decision-making abilities, improving Emotional Intelligence, accelerating change initiatives and driving transformation. My product offering includes 1:1 coaching, advisory services, team coaching, group coaching, speaking and facilitation.
4. problems i solve for with clients
Driving and experiencing transformation
Expanding Influence
Building followership
Enhancing professional brand
Improving communications effectiveness
Breaking the hold of Imposter Syndrome
Leaving a leadership legacy built on Trust
5. what sets me apart
My education (Stanford undergrad, MBA from Harvard, Coaching certification from Georgetown) combined with my work experience (General Foods, American Express, GE, successful start up) fosters a space of empathy, trust and wisdom with my Clients. From this, client transformation arises. I have a particular interest in how Trust is the bedrock of flourishing – for executives, companies, communities and the world at large.
6. what i am most proud of
Experiencing with executives their transformation and helping them create a legacy. I’m focused on helping executives ‘play it forward’ AND ‘pay it forward.’ For me the joy is in helping leaders of tomorrow learn how to deliver impact in perpetuity.
7. main things i want potential clients to know about me
I am doing what I was meant to do! I offer clients a confidential and safe space where I can serve as an unbiased sounding board and trusted advisor. I find it both an honor and a sacred privilege to be allowed to play a role in an executive’s growth journey. The executives I coach are the world changers and I take great pride helping them ‘step into their greatness’.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My belief is that we all have to find roles that are not only satisfying but are expansive and are in synch with our values. Some call this flow, some call it self-actualization, I think of it as happiness.
There are 3 academic thought leaders I follow regarding happiness: Shawn Achor (The Happiness Advantage book and 1 of the top 10 TedTalks), Laurie Santos (Yale, The Happiness Lab podcast), Professor Arthur Brooks (Harvard Business School, The Art and Science of Happiness book, TedTalk, articles in the Atlantic).
I also turn to Stanford’s ‘Designing Your Life,’ and the program ‘Positive Intelligence’ for reboots on how to operate using a growth mindset. (And give yourself space and grace while growing).
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
1. Courage and discipline to put yourself out there
2. Go where your ‘people’ are (aka clients), even if uncomfortable or expensive
3. Remember you are providing a service people need. You are not asking a favor or boasting. It’s a key mindset.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unlockedleadership.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-miller-perrin
Image Credits
none. all personal photos