Author: JackieJenkins-Scott,

Jackie Jenkins-Scott previously held the office of President at Wheelock College and President of Dimock Community Health Center. (2020, inside back cover).

Both of those careers lasted decades. Afterward, she formed JJS Advising where she helps shape leadership development and direct higher achievement for organizations and individuals. Currently, she sits on the board of directors for Tufts Health Plan Foundation, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the Schott Foundation for Public Health and the Center for Community Change. To learn more about Ms. Jenkins-Scott please visit her website.

The first chapter of this informational read is about taking advantage of opportunities. To which Ms. Jenkins-Scott says there are four characteristics for the strongest of leaders and those are; curiosity, humility, empathy, and resilience. (2020, p.1).

Next, she provides some keen insight into how several leaders have met with either success or failure. 

Chapter two suggests that one must compete well. “It takes more than knowledge and guts to lead in troubled times. It takes heart,” (2020, p,23) Jenkins-Scott says this comes from leveraging empathy and humility as well as knowing where you are vulnerable.

The headline for chapter three is “keep your bags packed”. (2020, p.41) Jenkins-Scott says there are two reasons for this analogy; external influences and values. Then she adds that these two also factor into the type of organization you work for – profit or not-for-profit. Depending on which is your organization then it comes down to money or power, perhaps both.

“Stay on Point in the Midst of Risk” is Chapter four. (2020, p.57) Jenkins-Scott says that messaging is especially important when you have a mistrustful audience. Therefore, a good leader must master the point. 

There are always going to be people who are unhappy regardless of the decisions made by leadership. So in chapter five Jenkins-Scott suggests that leaders must move their opposition. (2020, paraphrase, p.75) By this she means that good leaders know who their competition is and understands their methodology. 

In chapter six we delve into what Jenkins-Scott calls “Value the Interconnectedness of People”. (2020, p.99) Leaders ought not be so hungry for fulfillment that they forget to thank those who helped them become successful in the first place, the people. It is collaboration that often compels followship.

Lastly, Recover Quickly, (2020, chapter 7, p.123). Jenkins-Scott says that when plans fail leaders must be resilient and recover quickly so they can effectively move forward. Doing so means that leaders should continue to seek out opportunities and lead with heart.   

I found a lot of good information packed into this book. If you are a leader you should never stop learning and I see this book as a learning too. Perhaps there are things in here that you already know, but sometimes if you keep your eyes open you can also learn something new.