Re-introducing myself…Hello!

If we haven’t connected in a while, hello again.

If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Jess, and this is my LinkedIn weekly newsletter offering practical insight for transformation and change leaders and teams.

I’m making a clear shift at the Transformation Leadership Institute (TLI) to get closer to leaders, teams, and our community. For organisations, that means building internal capabilities so that strategy translates into the right work, which is adopted and sustained.

For individuals, it means elevating career, impact, and fulfilment.

And for those with an independent practice, it means a commercially smart business built around what you do best, beyond what your network connections can offer.

20 Things You Did Not Know About Me

Here are 20 things you didn't know about me. Some of you might know a few, but I doubt you know all 20. Let's see how you go and what your score will be:

1. I have lived and worked in 15 different countries, and I consider myself a global citizen. Sadly, I wasn't enrolled in any airline's frequent-flyer program, which meant I missed free business-class upgrades. Regretful moment!
2. I have a severe form of Autoimmune disease called Endometriosis - endo - (affects 10% of women worldwide and usually has a 10-year delay in diagnosis). Because of how rare and bad my case is, I have been part of a very small group of cases studied worldwide by universities and research bodies. I am a survivor, and I am working to raise awareness across various communities.
3. I don’t have kids, though my dream was to be a mum. I lost my only pregnancy to stillbirth in 2015, then had four surgeries (due to #2) and was put into induced menopause 10 years ago to stop the endo from progressing, which added about 25 kilos of weight, which I am working hard to let go of. REAL HARD WORK
4. I love cats since I was four. My mum says I can “talk cat,” and my friends still laugh when they hear me chatting with my cat, Zakzouk (Zack), as if we're having a conversation. We understand each other
5. I love cooking and feel completely in flow when I do it.
6. My doctorate in transformation happened by accident. A professor suggested I pursue a DBA rather than a traditional PhD because of the many live case studies I was working on, which led me to work with leaders at Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
7. The transformation I loved most, and also found the scariest, was the World Cup, with a budget of over USD 1 billion. I learned a lot and built frameworks and systems that are still relevant and used in the industry.
8. I keep a private list of toxic leaders I’ve met. It reminds me of what not to do and helps me equip other leaders to future-proof their careers so they never have to tolerate toxic behaviour.
9. I went through two wars, which taught me a great deal about fear and the human condition from a young age.
10. I have passed 10,000 hours of coaching and mentoring, and many more hours in training. I’m now on my 27th transformation program, guiding an innovative company to use AI meaningfully, and this program is on its way to HBR as a case study.
11. I have experienced discrimination, harassment, and tall poppy syndrome. I’ve been asked to leave rooms because I didn’t fit in, and I’ve been dismissed because English isn't my first language. These experiences made me more resilient and stronger. I’m not perfect, and I have my own challenges and fallouts, but I’m a work in progress, and I’m grateful.
12. My spiritual beliefs teach me that I am here to serve. I know I am accountable for the good and the bad, and I keep my self-awareness high. We are all equal, justice and equality are among my top values.
13. I learn about others by noticing my own reactions and asking why I do what I do. When I was younger, I was judgmental and a bit arrogant. As I got older, I realised that the human experience I have been on has humbled me to the fact that people inherently want to do good, while most are trying their best. Yet they can get derailed by being tired, unaware, carrying a heavy load that weighs them down, or just lonely, trying to put on a facade.
14. My greatest moments of fulfilment come from a client knowing I have their back, and from sharing how my work has impacted them to have a better life beyond the job ... better quality time with their loved ones, money to get the new house, simply being calmer and more present at home and for themselves. This is what keeps me going no matter what.
15. The more I know, the more I realise how much I don’t know.
16. I love sci-fi, futuristic & fantasy movies, and I genuinely appreciate good art. I believe change and transformation are more art than science, and I admire the layered thinking, creativity, imagination, dedication, and care that go into great work.
17. I love The Lord of the Rings and The Rings of Power. If you haven't watched them, I would highly recommend them. It's a true piece of art, and it's with such dedication and attention to detail.
18. In music, I have deep respect for Michael Jackson’s work (The real GOAT) and for Yanni. Yanni's music inspired me so much. His music speaks to my heart and instantly connects me to my heart and soul. The way his music is layered and in harmony, it tells a story without saying a single word. GENIUS!
19. I used to play professional squash, which taught me tactics, rhythm, and the ability to perform under pressure. It also finished my knees :(
20. I was also a professional drummer. Before any gig, I would visualise the whole set flawlessly, and that same tactic is how I design transformation. If I can not see it in my head from A-Z, then it is not happening!

What was your score?

What is it that I do?

For individuals: I work with you to help you achieve your best career performance. Whether that's finding your next role, performing in your current role and winning hearts and minds, building influence with executives and boards, and sharpening your positioning so your story, results, and performance line up.

If you’re building an independent practice, we will work together to create a sustainable, profitable, and commercially smart practice that doesn't just tell your network you are amazing, but actually pays you what you are worth, even after you exhaust your network connections.

I help build high 6 and 7 figure careers and solo-consulting businesses globally, backed by a world-class change and transformation practice that makes a difference.

For organisations & teams: I partner with you to turn strategy into success and embed reality. I help organisations build internal change and transformation muscles, navigate complex change, drive change adoption, capitalise on market opportunities, and do the right work, the right way. All without the drama, rework, finding escape goats and saving the leader from embarrassment and justifications that only buy little to no time.

What I’m noticing in the market

1. AI’s speed is amplifying everything. The promise is real, and so is the risk. AI will accelerate what’s already working, and it will also magnify gaps, blind spots, and noise if foundations are weak.
2. Tension between tech promises and business reality. AI vendors often sell a magic wand. Senior leaders are rightly sceptical and concerned about hollow promises, yet they also want to be ready. The real question is, “Ready for what?” Readiness needs clear use cases, data discipline, skills, and operational changes, not high-level plans that take too long to realise.
3. Hiring is picking up for senior change and transformation roles. I’m seeing increased movement in APAC (especially Singapore and Australia), as well as Germany and the UK, particularly for senior transformation leadership and enterprise-level change roles.

What’s New Inside TLI

• New program for TLI Inner Circle members: The Modern Trusted Advisor. A program for ex-C-level and senior directors moving into advisory. We equip you with the modern practices, offers, pricing, and delivery systems to build a commercially smart practice that’s sought after, well beyond your initial network.
• New Program: Career Unstuck (launching November). An AI-powered program to sharpen your CV, pitch, positioning, LinkedIn presence, and interview skills, and to map the right next career move with evidence and confidence. All accompanied by the learning that shifts your mindset, gives you the right perspectives and clarity to take charge of your career and stand out.
• Enterprise AI in practice. I’m partnering with a Fortune 500 Chief Transformation Officer to uncover the potential of AI in retail through 1:1 mentoring and coaching, which will extend to his direct report. This AI program will take decision-making and customer analytics to the next level, powered by real data and measurable outcomes. This program will be a cornerstone in their market leadership and the new product line launching in 2026.

If one of these speaks to what you’re working through, reply and tell me where you want traction first. I’ll point you to the most suitable next step

Novemeber-Dec 2025

• New program starting: The Modern Trusted Advisor

November 2025

• Career Unstuck program relaunching - powered by AI

November 2025 TLI monthly Theme & Guest Expert Session

• Designing Organisation for Humans with James Healy

Found this useful? What about forwarding it to one person who needs to rethink their change and transformation work for a future that matters?

Thanks for your time. Till next time,

Jess Tayel

Founder of the Transformation Leadership Institute and People of Transformation membership & community.

Enable organisations to become future-fit through their Transformations & Change efforts.

Elevate Change & Transformation high-performing leaders to soar above the sea of sameness and achieve new heights in mastery, influence, & impact without the drag of going solo or slow progression.

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