Great Ideas

Why Power Isn’t Leadership—And How Successful CEOs Lead Through People, Not Titles

Episode Summary

What if the secret to becoming an effective leader has nothing to do with titles, strategy, or KPIs—and everything to do with people? In this episode, CEO Jacobia Solomon opens up about her non-linear rise from engineer to executive leader across companies like Ford, Newell Rubbermaid, and Memorial. She shares how she learned the hardest leadership lesson of all: that performance without people isn’t sustainable—and that empathy, courage, and authenticity are the true currencies of influence. * The leadership mistake that nearly derailed her early career—and how it reshaped her approach to people and performance. * Why “owning your voice” and leading with resilience matters even more when you’re the only woman or person of color in the room. * Gain practical insights on driving change, navigating restructuring, and building a team that thrives through clarity, trust, and extreme ownership. Press play to discover Jacobia’s hard-won lessons on leading with authenticity, building “struggle muscle,” and making a lasting impact in every role you take on.

Episode Notes

What if the secret to becoming an effective leader has nothing to do with titles, strategy, or KPIs—and everything to do with people?

 

In this episode, CEO Jacobia Solomon opens up about her non-linear rise from engineer to executive leader across companies like Ford, Newell Rubbermaid, and Memorial. She shares how she learned the hardest leadership lesson of all: that performance without people isn’t sustainable—and that empathy, courage, and authenticity are the true currencies of influence.

 

 

Press play to discover Jacobia’s hard-won lessons on leading with authenticity, building “struggle muscle,” and making a lasting impact in every role you take on.