Jenny Garrett MA is a sought after executive coach, author of Rocking Your Role, the how to guide to success for female breadwinners, speaker, and founder of Reflexion Associates leadership consultancy.
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and what you do currently
My name is Jenny Garrett, I am an executive coach and author of Rocking Your Role, the ‘how to’ guide to success for female breadwinners. My heritage is from the St Lucia and Jamaica in the Caribbean. I am married, have one daughter and three step sons.
Since 2006, I have been providing leadership development and coaching through my company Reflexion Associates to organisations like the NHS, Further Education Colleges, Argos & Carillion. Launching my book Rocking Your Role, gave me an opportunity to answer my calling to also provide work and life navigation for trailblazing women, individually, and through talks and training.
What is it about Mentoring Women that appeals to you?
Mentoring provides shortcuts and connections to accelerate your journey, and smooth your path; everyone needs that. I really believe in the power of Mentoring and mentor women entrepreneurs and executives internationally for the Cherie Blair Foundation and ASPIRE programme and was a finalist for the PRECIOUS Mentor of the Year 2012.
Why is giving back important to you?
I give back through my roles as Vice Chair of the Twenty Ten Club and being a member of Advisory Board member for BPP Food and Clothes Drive (BPP FCD) part of BPP Law. I see it as a responsibility to pave the way for others, especially as I came from humble beginnings. Through mentoring we can all step up together.
How have you found the media attention that you’ve received for Rocking Your Role?
I have been privileged to spread the Rocking Your Role message as a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Magic FM’s Book Club and numerous interviews for publications, such as The Telegraph. I am a blogger for Huffington Post & Loop 21, and have my own Women in Business radio show. These are all outlets that have enabled to me to reach a wider audience in service of spreading the Rocking your Role message.
What’s been your greatest achievement personally?
Taking a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the South of France in my late teens and caring for the sick and dying for a week.
It was a very humbling and spiritual experience that has stayed with me and shaped my outlook on life.
If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?
I’d like to think that I’d be a racing driver, (I’ve been told that I have racing drivers hands) or travelling the world experiencing different cultures.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve done?
I often talk about the leap into entrepreneurship with is very terrifying for many people, but for me the most daring thing was flying an aerobatics plane about ten years ago. Once was enough for me, I don’t think my stomach could take the experience and g-force again.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
This is always a difficult one, because I am not sure that I am inspired by others very much. I am all about taking your unique path and valuing what you bring. I think that we are all the inspiration for ourselves.
However my Mum’s strength, my grandmother’s love and my daughter’s happiness really do inspire me.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasures are lemon drizzle cake and red wine.
What does the future hold for you?
A Rocking Your Role book tour in New York, trailblazing leadership programmes that focus on supporting women, their organisation and increasing knowledge of how to create an environment where everyone thrives, and watch this space, there may even be another book.
