Why Human Transformation Drives Business Transformation with Jenna Paterson
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Summary:
Every business transformation begins with human transformation.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a powerful conversation as we welcome Jenna Paterson, Talent Development leader at Equinix, to explore what conscious leadership really looks like in practice, especially in an era defined by AI acceleration and rapid change.
From a childhood shaped by bullying and resilience to leading groundbreaking leadership programs at Equinix, Jenna shares how her origin story became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. She takes us inside Ground Break, a transformational leadership experience built on the truth that systems change only when people change.
If you care about building human-centered organizations, cultivating conscious leaders, and strengthening culture from the inside out, this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
Why right relationship starts with self-leadership
How defining moments shape leadership identity
Why emotional intelligence remains essential in an AI-driven workplace
The connection between nervous systems and organizational culture
The paradox leaders must hold in complex times
Why transformation efforts fail when they ignore the human system
The powerful ROI of psychological safety and presence
Three essential questions every leader must ask themselves
Order of Topics:
Defining Right Relationship
The Origin Story of Leadership
Values Shaped by Experience
Leadership Values in Practice
From Personal to Organizational: Leadership in Practice
Structure and Philosophy of Groundbreak
The Impact of Personal Work on Leadership
Co-active Coaching and Its Synergy with Groundbreak
The Human Element Amidst Technological Change
The Role of Culture and Organizational Nervous Systems
Conscious Leadership as Daily Practice
Guidance for Individuals and Organizations
Action Items:
Understanding and Evolving Right Relationship
Self-Reflection: Regularly engage in self-reflection to deepen your understanding of your identity, experiences, and values.
Deliberate Practice: Continuously practice being in a right relationship with yourself as it evolves over time.
Developing Leadership through Personal Storytelling
Identify Defining Moments: Reflect on personal history to identify moments that have shaped your leadership style.
Embrace Vulnerability: Share these stories to connect authentically with others and lead more effectively.
Core Values Shaped by Adversity
Kindness: Commit acts of care even when faced with challenges.
Sincerity: Align words and actions genuinely with beliefs.
Authenticity: Embrace vulnerability by living true to oneself.
Implementing Reflection as a Leadership Tool
Encourage leaders to ask themselves: “What are the moments that shaped my leadership?” for better self-awareness and impact assessment.
Transformational Programs like 'Groundbreak'
Focus on both individual transformation (self-awareness) and systemic change within teams for deeper connections and empathy.
Organizational Culture & Human-Centric Transformation
Invest in human-centric programs emphasizing conscious leadership due to increasing complexity in workplaces.
Recognize the irreplaceable value of empathy, intuition, emotional intelligence amidst technological advancements like AI.
Practical Application through Coactive Coaching
Develop skills such as deep listening, presence, emotional regulation which help integrate transformational learnings into daily practices.
Balancing Technology & Humanity
Ensure cultural foundations precede technological implementations ("technology built on dysfunction is dysfunction").
Navigate paradoxes—speed vs care; efficiency vs depth—to maintain balance within organizations.
Promoting Nervous System Health at Work
Adopt rituals for personal well-being (daily reflection) that support effective leadership.
Understand leadership's role in regulating organizational nervous systems for resilience during changes.
Questions for Self-Guidance:
What are the values anchoring you currently?
Explore life history if unclear about core values.
How do you create space for paradoxes?
Balance speed/care; allow multiple truths or tensions simultaneously.
What practices keep you grounded?
Identify rituals supporting connection/stability personally/professionally.
Start transformation by fostering right relationships beginning internally before extending externally towards business goals or team dynamics.
Cultivate an environment where continuous learning from past adversities informs future growth while embracing authenticity across all interactions—personal and professional alike!
About Jenna:
Jenna is a dedicated Talent Development professional based in the UK, currently shaping leadership development and cultural transformation at Equinix. With a rich background in learning and leadership development; spanning roles in digital infrastructure and luxury retail sectors, she brings both breadth and depth to her craft.
As a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, strengths coach and experienced facilitator, Jenna blends evidence-based frameworks with an empathetic, human-centred approach. She’s passionate about crafting immersive learning experiences, and brings a thoughtful, systems-oriented approach to development.Her passion lies in cultivating inclusive, psychologically safe environments where people can grow, reflect, and develop conscious leadership.
Jenna’s childhood, shaped by imagination, performance, and moments of challenge, fuelled her belief in the power of small acts of kindness and holding space for others. She draws from her own journey of resilience and transformation to create environments where leaders and teams feel seen, supported, and empowered.
When she’s not leading high-impact programmes, Jenna is an advocate, cheerleader, and active listener; believing that even the quietest moments can ignite someone’s full potential.
Jenna believes leadership starts with self-leadership. By staying curious, practicing empathy, and showing up authentically, she builds meaningful relationships that create trust and unlock growth; for herself and those around her.
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About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce, and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany