Meet JEN CRONEBERGER | CULTURE, LEADERSHIP & PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT AND SPEAKER

We had the good fortune of connecting with JEN CRONEBERGER and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JEN, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

THE FOCUS OF THE WORK I DO IS IN HELPING COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS BUILD B.R.A.V.E. HUMAN LEADERS THAT CAN CULTIVATE CONNECTED AND INCLUSIVE CULTURES. THE ACRONYM B.R.A.V.E. STANDS FOR BELONGING, RESILIENCE, AUTHENTICITY, VULNERABILITY, AND EMPATHY. I BELIEVE THAT MOVING FORWARD, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEAD FROM HERE. WE HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH A LOT THESE PAST TWO YEARS AND COMING OUT OF THE RUBBLE I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS TO LEAD THIS WAY.

THESE ARE NO LONGER SOFT SKILLS, THEY ARE ESSENTIAL SKILLS. WHEN WE SEE THE HUMANITY IN THE YOUNG BLACK MAN IN THE CUBICLE NEXT TO US OR THE LGBTQ+ WOMAN WHO WAITS ON ME AT LUNCH, OR THE MUSLIM DR. WHO OPERATES ON MY FATHER, WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER AS A SOCIETY THAT CAN FIND ALL THAT IS GOOD IN IT.

AFTER THE DEATHS OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BREONNA TAYLOR DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, MANY COMPANIES RUSHED TO PUT OUT STATEMENTS, AND FORM DEI COUNCILS AND DEPARTMENTS. TO SAY IT WAS LONG OVERDUE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT, HOWEVER IN DEALING WITH SENSITIVE TOPICS, AT WHAT COST ARE WE TRYING TO TAKE ACTION WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE TO DO SO? I HAVE OFTEN TOLD THESE SAME COMPANIES THAT THIS CANNOT BE A CHECK THE BOX ACTIVITY, OR A PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE. THIS MUST BE INGRAINED IN THE VERY DNA OF THE COMPANY. THAT MEANS THAT YOU NEED THE CULTURE TO SUSTAIN THE WORK. IF NOT, IT CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. IT’S IKE TRYING TO PLANT A TREE ON CONCRETE. IT DOESN’T WORK.

B.R.A.V.E. HUMAN LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT HELPING TO MAKE SURE THAT REAL CHANGE ACTUALLY HAPPENS. BECAUSE NOTHING CHANGES UNTIL BEHAVIORS CHANGE, WE FOCUS ON HELPING LEADERS PRACTICE THESE BEHAVIORS IN SMALL MOMENTS, AND IN DOING SO, SHOW UP FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My work has been a constant reminder of how much more we can do to foster inclusion in the workplace and beyond. I recognize that it is my calling to make sure I am doing this as much as possible every day and with every conversation I have. We are a society that is the most technologically connected ever, yet we stand in the midst of being the most disconnected at the same time. As humans, we crave connection. It is what my company is all about, Finding ways to connect and include those who haven’t felt included before and making sure that workplaces are utilizing the gifts of diversity in thought and innovation. In essence, we want to make work more human.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
THIS MAY SEEM SIMPLISITIC, OR SOMEWHAT OF A COPOUT BUT IT IS AS AUTHENTIC AS IT COMES. MY DAD IS MY SHOUTOUT. FOR SO MANY REASONS, BUT I WILL FOCUS ON THESE: HE WAS THE FIRST COACH I EVER HAD AND TAUGHT ME WHAT IT MEANT TO BE A POSITIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF A TEAM. HE TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE JOYS AND THE HEARTACHES OF LEADING OTHERS. HE WAS ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS THEN, AND HE CONTINUES TO BE NOW NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE. AS A PRIEST AND THEN A BISHOP, HE TAUGHT ME COMPASSION AND EMPATHY; WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT. HE TAUGHT ME HOW NOT USING THE WORD HATE IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO SOMETIMES AND THAT THERE IS GOOD IN EVERYONE, EVEN WHEN WE MAY HAVE TROUBLE SEEING IT OURSELVES. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HE TAUGHT ME ABOUT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. IT’S NOT A FAIRY TALE. I DIDN’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT, AND HE HAS LOVED ME ANYWAY. THE THE TEARS AND THE JOY, HE HAS BEEN MY TRUE NORTH, GUIDING ME TO THE WORK I DO TODAY. IN SOME WAYS I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PICKED UP THE TORCH AS HE LAID IT DOWN. HE HAS STOOD UP FOR THE “LITTLE GUY” ALWAYS ROOTING FOR THE UNDERDOG, BELIEVING THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A SHOT. AND HE MEANT IT. HE SPOKE UP FOR THE VOICELESS AND STOOD FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES. HE HAS BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGE IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OFTEN TRHE FIRST AND SOMETIMES ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE STANDING WHEN IT CAME TO ADVOCATING FOR WOMEN, LGBTQ AND RACIAL JUSTICE. HE EVEN WAS CARRIED OFF MY POLICE OFFICERS WHEN STANDING ON THE STEPS OF THE PENTAGON BACK BEFORE I WAS BORN, PREACHING ABOUT PEACE DURING WARTIME. I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LIST ALL OF THE THINGS HE HAS TAUGHT ME OVER MY 48 YEARS ON THIS EARTH AND YES HE CERTAINLY HAD HIS SHORTCOMINGS AND FLAWS. BUT TO ME, HE WAS MY BIGGEST INFLUENCE AND MY GREATEST CHAMPION. AND I WILL ALWAYS ATTRIBUTE SO MUCH OF MY SUCCESS TO HIM.

Website: www.teamjlcg.com

Instagram: @jencroneberger

Linkedin: JenCroneberger

Image Credits
Sandrien B Photography