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Leading Through Change: Navigating Transformation Challenges with Jason Morris
In this edition of Leadership Portraits, we sat down with Jason Morris, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in Six Sigma, process improvement, and transformation leadership. Hosted by Jennifer Wright, the conversation delves into Jason’s diverse career, his perspectives on leadership, and the challenges he’s faced in leading teams through various transformations.
Jason’s Professional Journey
Jason Morris, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and transformation leader, has forged his career through various industries, including sales, account management, finance auditing, and extensive work in transformation roles. Notably, his tenure at General Electric as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt laid the foundation for his expertise in process improvement methodologies. Subsequently, Jason navigated roles at McKesson, Fiserv, Ultimate Software and UKG, contributing significantly to each organization’s transformation initiatives. He is currently a Senior Management Consultant at CapTech Consulting.
Throughout the interview, Jason emphasizes the importance of influential leadership, extending beyond leading direct teams to inspiring those who don’t report directly to him. His leadership philosophy is founded on empathy and trust. Jason highlights the significance of understanding and supporting team members both professionally and personally, fostering a sense of trust and transparency.
Keys to Leadership: When asked about essential leadership skills, Jason points to empathy and trust. He believes in avoiding micromanagement, allowing teams the autonomy to excel. Trust, according to him, is crucial in creating an environment where team members feel supported and can perform at their best. He encourages open communication, transparency, and building relationships based on mutual trust.
I think two things stick out [in making a great leader]. One's empathy... just understanding and making sure the team understands that you support them both professionally and personally. And the second one... trust. Don't micromanage the team. Let them do their work... just trusting one another because we're all in this together.
The conversation takes a turn to discuss influential leadership challenges. Jason shares his experiences in leading teams that do not inherently report to him, emphasizing the difficulty of leading without direct authority. He stresses the importance of patience, open communication, and understanding the motivations of team members to garner support and achieve success in such situations.
Proud Moments and Leadership Success
One of the highlights of Jason’s leadership journey is the successful launch of the Lean Six Sigma program at UKG. The program, initiated by his team, gained significant traction, with a waiting list of enthusiastic participants. Jason reflects on the pride he felt in building the program from scratch and witnessing its positive impact on individuals and the organization.
Acknowledging the challenges of leadership, Jason discusses instances where gaining support and buy-in for transformation projects proved difficult. He emphasizes the importance of addressing concerns transparently, understanding the root causes of resistance, and using data to showcase the benefits of proposed changes.
Leadership Amidst Change
The conversation naturally shifts towards the impact of the pandemic on leadership. Jason reflects on the lessons learned, particularly in embracing emotional intelligence and understanding the personal challenges team members faced. The experience taught him to prioritize a work-life balance and recognize the importance of maintaining a supportive and empathetic leadership approach.
Offering advice to his younger self and aspiring leaders, Jason encourages embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Quoting Theodore Roosevelt, he emphasizes that those who never make mistakes never do anything. Jason advises against striving for perfection, acknowledging that errors are inevitable but should be seen as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Jason shares his personal strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As an avid runner, he finds solace in outdoor activities, often listening to podcasts during his runs. Spending quality time with family and engaging in activities outside of work keeps him refreshed and focused.
Jason’s parting advice revolves around adopting a continuous improvement mindset. He encourages leaders to regularly seek feedback, be receptive to improvement opportunities, and maintain an open dialogue with their teams. By fostering a culture of constant improvement, leaders can navigate challenges effectively and contribute to the success of their organizations.
In the dynamic landscape of leadership, Jason Morris stands out as a resilient and empathetic leader who values continuous improvement. His insights into influential leadership, navigating challenges, and embracing imperfection provide valuable lessons for leaders at all stages of their careers. Jason’s journey exemplifies the importance of adaptability, empathy, and a commitment to growth in effective leadership.
Jason Morris is a proven Transformational Leader demonstrating strengths in identifying and implementing comprehensive organizational strategies / opportunities by utilizing sound analytical expertise, change management principles, and business process improvement methodologies. Excellent communication, Kaizen/facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Prior to his current role in Management Consulting at CapTech, he has held various positions in transformation leadership, business process engineering, sales and account management at companies such as UKG, Fiserv, McKesson and GE. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner
Jason graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
View the Video Clips from the Interview with Jason:
Addressing Transformation Challenges
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