When Influence Becomes Legacy in Modern Leadership

Jeanette Bennett has over 25 years of leadership experience in Utah and is recognized for helping to shape Utah’s business landscape through award-winning publications. She is a journalist, entrepreneur, community advocate, presenter at UN events, and member of the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame. She continues to champion education, entrepreneurism, and meaningful impact within Utah.

In an insightful conversation with Global Woman Leader Magazine, Jeanette shares her insights on modern leadership, storytelling and emotional intelligence that drives meaningful impact across industries.  From her journey through media and entrepreneurship and into real estate, she reflects on what influences both people and communities alike and how taking intentional action creates lasting impact on individuals all over the globe.

To learn more about her thoughts on global leadership philosophy, defining experiences, and her guidance through her journey, please read the entire article below.

In your opinion what kind of leadership influence truly creates lasting impact in today’s business landscape?

I have hosted and attended countless award ceremonies to recognize leadership in the state of Utah. It is clear to me that creating a legacy of leadership is not measured in dollars and cents. Leadership is measured by impact — impact on individuals, industries, and communities. A true leader creates other leaders, and together they can change the world. 

How has storytelling become an aspect of influencing culture, motivating teams, and facilitating transformation at Colliers? 

A strong leader knows how to tell the story of where the company has been and where the company is going. Every good meeting should include a story, a case study, an example of behavior we want more of as a company. Storytelling through social media, emails and in person are all important priorities for a CEO. 

You’ve been in situations with newsroom deadlines and in rooms with boardroom decisions, how do those fast-paced and high-pressure environments inform your approach to leadership? 

My natural leadership style is collaborative. I prefer to get all the input and have all the info before making a decision. However, this is rarely possible. And in reality, sometimes having input from all the stakeholders actually confuses the process because there is rarely consensus. The goal is to have enough input and data to make a decision without delaying the project or becoming mired in the details.

True leadership happens in the next step of the process when you realize whether you made the correct decision.

It’s important to quickly pivot if it becomes apparent that a wrong decision was made. 

how do you combine business strategy with emotional intelligence to create sustainable success in real estate? 

I love that all personality types can succeed in commercial real estate. Our top five brokers at Colliers have very different personalities, styles, preferences and motivations. However, they are similar in their consistency, work ethic and emotional intelligence. They know how to meet their clients’ needs and maintain relationships by bringing value. I strive to bring the same emotional intelligence when I interact with my brokers and staff members. “What does this individual in front of me need to hear from me right now?” 

You’ve been recognized internationally, such as at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which you were a part of and the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame. Looking back, what lessons about influence and visibility resonate with you? 

We all get one beautiful life to live. As much as I want to think I can do everything and be everywhere — and I’ve tried to accomplish that — we do have to make intentional choices about how to spend our time and skillset.

I believe I can have the greatest impact by focusing on entrepreneurism in Utah and women’s access to education.

Those are my professional passions. I consider myself a pollinator. As I have crossed paths with hundreds and thousands of people in my work as a journalist and business leader, I strive to connect people and ideas. A “bee” is a symbol I often use for myself as I pollinate ideas, businesses and solutions. 

For women aspiring to lead across industries, what’s one mindset that can turn influence into lasting impact?

I strive to focus on things that only I can do. What are my unique connections? What doors can I walk through and hold open for others? What do I know that I need to share with others so they can increase their impact? I also remind myself daily that my actions need to match my stated goals. If my actions don’t provide proof of what I say I want to achieve, then I am out of alignment and I feel it. My actions are evidence of what I truly want.