Beyond the Title: Employee Spotlight - James McKenna

This week, we're shining the spotlight on James McKenna , Vice President at Leadership Connect .

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, adaptability is a cornerstone of effective leadership. James McKenna exemplifies this trait through his adept navigation of the company's pivotal changes and challenges. Throughout these questions, we will explore James's experiences, insights, and strategies for managing uncertainty and fostering a culture of empowerment within his team.

1. Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or challenge in your role. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome? 

• For many of us, the shift to remote/hybrid work compared to going into the office every day was significant. I focused on removing any communication barriers that could possibly come up. Most notably, I video call colleagues all around the company with questions rather than sending messages. To me, this is the best way to replicate walking over to someone’s desk, ensures questions are answered thoroughly, and allows relationships to be built with co-workers. 

1. In your opinion, what qualities or skills have been crucial for you to navigate various changes in the workplace? 

• Adaptability, while being humble enough to know I always have a lot to learn, and confident enough to admit that to those who may know a subject or skill better than me. 

1. Can you share an example of a project or initiative where you felt particularly empowered? How did this empowerment impact your performance and the outcome of the project? 

• I was thrown to the wolves and started talking to our clients literally my first day at Leadership Connect. This forced me to be confident in myself and our organization, but also required me to be adaptable, curious, open-minded, and made me focus on being a good listener and collaborator both externally and internally.  

1. How do you foster a culture of adaptability within your team or organization? 

• By being adaptable and changing myself as well. My rule is that if I’m doing something today the same way as I did six months ago, that means I’m doing it wrong. As our company grows, we need to constantly adapt according to information we learn and share every day. 

1. What advice would you give to colleagues who are facing uncertainty or change in their roles? 

• Look at uncertainty as an opportunity to invest in bettering themselves with the support of their colleagues. We have a culture where everyone is happy to help each other, but you need to want the help and want to get better. 

1. How do you ensure that all team members feel empowered to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their work? 

• First and foremost, I try to have a culture of openness and make it clear from day one that not knowing everything is okay. Then, I try to not solve problems for them, but let my team suggest the best path forward in every situation. I also weigh whether their idea is materially different than mine – if it’s not, I let them run with it. If it is, that’s great too because it is an opportunity for us to learn together.  

1. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to empower others to overcome a challenge or achieve a goal? How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience? 

• Constantly. I try to not micro-manage or hand hold and let my team really develop, and just keep guard rails in place. I learned that a lot of people can really grow quickly if given the opportunity, and it’s great to see how the people that I’ve hired have grown professionally and personally during their years at Leadership Connect. 

1. How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue growing and adapting in your career? 

• It’s how I’m wired. I hate losing much more than I like winning, and after any win I’m immediately thinking about the next one. 

1. Can you share any strategies or practices that have helped you maintain resilience and adaptability during times of uncertainty or change? 

• To me, it’s all about confidence, trust, and organization. Confidence in the value of our products, trust that my colleagues have put in the same effort as me and I can rely on what they’ve built, and organization to ensure I move forward efficiently and effectively. 

1. What does "going beyond the title" mean to you personally, and how do you embody this in your day-to-day work? 

• For me, going beyond the title means always thinking about the growth and success of the company in everything I do, rather than just checking a box in my job description. It’s about ensuring that my work actually makes an impact, and making sure that my effort level and thought processes always align with what is best for not just me, but for Leadership Connect as a whole. 

James McKenna's journey at Leadership Connect highlights the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and empowerment in navigating the complexities of modern business. His insights and strategies provide valuable lessons for fostering a resilient and innovative organizational culture.