Jeff Perry is a leadership and career expert known for helping individuals, teams, and organizations unlock their potential in all facets of life. With a background in engineering, business, and leadership, he specializes in working with engineering and technical professionals, though the principles he shares are universal.
He is the author of the bestselling book, “The Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life and Career for Engineers and Technical Professionals.” Jeff received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Washington.
You can reach Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry or learn more at jeff-perry.com.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your entrepreneurial journey.
I grew up in a typical USA middle-class suburb in Utah and quickly found a passion for math, science, and engineering while also enjoying sports and outdoor activities like snowboarding, basketball, and boating.
I decided to pursue mechanical engineering but later got into software development, which wasn’t a great fit. I then returned to mechanical/manufacturing engineering and process improvement, eventually moving into engineering leadership. Opportunities to run internal training/coaching programs lit a fire for focusing more on personal and leadership development, which is what I do full-time now — transitioning from building products and processes to building people.
What motivated you to start your business/initiative?
It was finding this intersection of experiences and interests — combining my engineering and leadership backgrounds with my passion for building people. Now, I serve as a coach, trainer, speaker, and author, helping engineering and technical professionals build careers and leadership skills.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role.
I’m currently embarking on a new writing project — a series of books for career and leadership development. The first book will focus on professional networking, with future books covering topics like job interviews, personal branding, communication skills, and negotiations. Each book will also come with a related online course, aiming to provide a suite of resources and insights for career growth.
Any notable achievements or accomplishments?
Writing my first book, “The Intentional Engineer,” was a big endeavor. I initially doubted whether I could write a book, but a mentor suggested I take the plunge. After committing, I went from idea to publishing in just three months. It’s been rewarding to see the positive response and the book’s impact on many people.
What change would you like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to build people’s capacity to handle difficulty, change, and complexity, enabling them to do great things. In engineering and tech, for instance, where people build essential technologies and infrastructure, the impact can be immense. By improving leadership and personal effectiveness in these professionals, the ripple effect on the economy, technology, and innovation can be transformational.
What are your thoughts on women leadership today?
We need more of it! My favorite manager was a woman; she had a unique leadership style that was effective and inspiring. Women should always have a strong voice in companies, communities, and the world.
What advice would you give to our young leaders/audience?
Define your intention. Get clear on the life you want to live and the kind of person you want to become. Act in accordance with that vision to create the impact you were meant to have on this planet. It starts with you!
If I can help, you might consider starting with some of my free resources at jeff-perry.com/resource.
