Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jo Ann Herold. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jo Ann , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I have done a lot of work to help businesses and brands unlock their purpose. A mentor of mine, Jeff Hilimire recommended that I articulate, excavate and communicate my own personal purpose and I did. It’s been a gift to be able to live out my purpose and help others do the same.
Using the Ikigai (ee-key-guy) approach, which combines life, meaning and work has been the model I’ve used. It’s served as my reason for being and roadmap for how I want to lead my life and others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a marketing leader working with brands, and teams to innovate, modernize, and grow. Twice served as Chief Marketing Officer for The Honey Baked Ham Company and served as the Global CMO for Interface, Inc. and created Interface’s first truly global brand team, delivering product and brand strategies resulting in 5 consecutive quarters of growth and the highest stock price in Interface’s history. I also served as VP of Brand and Communications at Arby’s Restaurant Group and was recruited to serve on the brand turnaround team.
Am honored to receive the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women and two Effie’s for marketing effectiveness. I recently received a Lifetime Achievement award from the American Marketing Association and is the 2023 recipient of the AMA’s Marketer for Good.
My purpose is to help brands and people significantly grow and I am now the chief executive officer of Herold Growth Consulting serving multiple clients across industry sectors in B2C and B2B. I also serve as an Expert in Residence at Georgia State University
I love to write and am published author and a sought-after speaker and is on the Executive Board of Fast Company. I have an MBA in International Business from Mercer University, an Advanced Executive Coaching Diploma from Emory University, and an undergraduate degree in Communication from Mississippi State University.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities I admire are curiosity and leading a life of wonder. Having this trait helps you and others learn and grow. It helps us connect and try new things.
I also love people who are kind and generous. This could be mentoring a young person as they start their career or working with a non-profit to help them grow and serve others.
Finally, I love people who show up, listen and have fun. These are the people who bring energy and impact others to create impact.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Recently I started my own consultancy after spending years in a corporate environment. What I loved most about leading teams is the opportunity to mentor and coach. As such, I decided to dive deep and learn about what it means to be a great coach. I enrolled in a program at Emory that is led by their school of business and school of medicine.
The course was mind-blowing and I learned great coaches listen more than they talk. Coaching is about asking powerful questions and helping the other person or team work through their plan to overcome an obstacle.
Taking the course at Emory changed my life and use the principles in all aspects of my daily interactions with family, friends and clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heroldgrowthconsulting.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannherold
