#EllevateYourself Q&A With Jane Perdue, Leadership Futurist

Leadership futurist Jane Perdue is the CEO of Braithwaite Innovation Group, a development firm dedicated to redefining performance and leadership paradigms through workshops, speaking, development programs, and consulting.

Jane likes to challenge stereotypes and how we think about power. A male boss who described her as a "soft and round Aunt Polly" prompted her to leave a 20-year career as a Fortune 500 executive. She now focuses on advancing women in business and consults on diversity and inclusion.

In her recent Twitter chat with Ellevate Network, she covered many topics, including how to build a great team and what she thinks is a woman’s best accessory.

How do you define your professional mission?

Being a well-mannered maverick who challenges the status quo, stereotypes and how we think about power.

Who inspires you?

Inspiring to me is any woman who is wearing her best accessory: confidence! But regardless of gender, anyone who is strong enough to be kind and vulnerable

What led you to start the Braithwaite Innovation Group?

I wanted to help women step into their power, change leadership models and tackle stereotypes.

Do you have any advice on how to find a good mentor?

Ask those who inspire you, be it at same workplace or somewhere else. And remember to reciprocate when someone else needs a mentor.

What are your thoughts on mentorship and reverse mentorship?

Mentorship is sharing what you know and being humble in learning what you don’t . Learning happens up and down org chart. Reverse mentoring is the key to keeping an open mind and your skills fresh.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Don’t just lean into the status quo, disrupt it.

What are some of your favorite leadership development resources?

My favorite leadership resources include the Harvard Business School and The Center for Creative Leadership.

Also, don't forget about the leadership school of hard knocks. Learn, try, mess up and try again.

How do you turn your passion into a business?

Combine smarts, support, skill and patience.

How important are relationships when growing a business?

Delivering results and building relationships are the currency of growing a business and leadership.

Do you have a role model?

Eleanor Roosevelt, who made her voice heard for human rights

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

Best advice: be humble. Remember the size of the hole your hand will leave in a bucket of water!

How do you stay resilient when things get tough?

Knowing where I’m going and being fearless in going there. 

What motives you daily?

Making a difference motivates me.

What are the most important components to building a great team?

Effectively capitalizing on differences, being mindful of bias and letting others participate.

What traits do the best leaders have in common?

Character, humility, engagement, fun and flexibility. A balanced head and heart to manage. Effective leaders keep an open mind. There’s no ‘My way or the highway.’

What’s the most important thing companies should know about diversity and inclusion?

Diversity and inclusion are good for business. They improve economics and engagement.

How do you keep evolving in your business?

Stay on top of trends and technology. Involve others. Embrace flexibility. Be willing to change course.

What advice would you give women who want to start their own business?

Build alliances. Be prepared to learn from your failures because they will happen. Being an entrepreneur is challenging leadership work.

What advice do you have for creating a personal brand?

A good personal brand is knowing yourself and being authentic. 

What’s the biggest strength women bring to business?

An important strength that women bring to business is the power of collaboration. and diversity of thought.

What has been your biggest career challenge to date?

Dealing with double standard that says women can’t be both competent and likable. It's not true!

Who has been the biggest influence in your career journey to date?

My dad encouraged me to believe I could do anything I set my mind to.