Leadership Journeys [196] - Jennifer Vessels - "It is crucial to surround yourself with people who challenge you."

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Vessels, a trailblazing leader who has transformed businesses globally by breaking through the fears that hold leaders back.

From her days pioneering videoconferencing in Silicon Valley to launching her own successful ventures, Jennifer shares powerful insights on embracing change, navigating uncertainty, and leveraging diverse perspectives for growth.

She introduces her PEACE framework—Purpose, Explore, Action, Collaborate, Empower—which has helped countless leaders thrive in today’s fast-paced world.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by fear or unsure of how to lead through disruption, this conversation is packed with practical tools and inspiration to guide you through.

Tune in and learn how to turn challenges into growth opportunities and lead with greater impact!

You can find Jennifer Vessels at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervessels/
• https://www.jennifervessels.com/

In the interview, André shares

• "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward despite it."
• "Leaders must continuously adapt in a rapidly changing world—and inspire others to do the same."
• "Fear of disruption can paralyze leaders. The key is to confront those fears and turn them into growth opportunities."
• "True transformation happens when diverse perspectives come together to break through barriers."
• "The leap to entrepreneurship is fueled by passion, vision, and a strong support system."
• "Jennifer’s PEACE framework—Purpose, Explore, Action, Collaborate, Empower—is a guiding light for navigating crisis and change."
• "Embracing new ideas and staying curious is what fuels long-term leadership success."
• "Even the best leaders face unforeseen challenges. The key is resilience and the ability to adapt quickly."
• "In moments of crisis, take a step back, understand your purpose, and take small actions that move you forward."
• "Leadership is about blending diverse skills—sales, marketing, digitalization—to help organizations thrive."