Leadership coach, author, and mentor Jenny Barkan helps professionals step into confident leadership and create meaningful transformation in their personal and professional lives. After building a successful career in law, she chose to follow her passion for helping people and transitioned into coaching, where she now supports leaders in developing communication, confidence, and growth-driven mindsets. Through her work, she inspires individuals to embrace courage, continuous learning, and authentic leadership.
As part of the Fuzia community initiative, Humans of Fuzia features her journey to inspire a global audience committed to empowerment, leadership, and impact.
Q: Could you share your professional journey and what inspired you to become a coach?
A: I always loved connecting with people, listening to them, and helping them grow. However, I initially chose law as a profession because it offered stability and financial security. After working as a lawyer for many years, I realized that although I was successful, I wasn’t fulfilled.
I didn’t want to live with regret, so I took a leap of faith and moved into coaching. It felt aligned with my purpose—supporting people in their growth and transformation.
Q: What were some early challenges you faced when starting your coaching practice?
A: Coaching came naturally to me, but business development and sales were completely new. I had to learn marketing, pricing, and how to reach clients. Initially, I struggled with imposter syndrome and questioned whether my services were worth the cost.
Over time, I understood that if I wanted to create impact, I needed to embrace the business side of coaching. It has been a continuous learning process, and I keep improving each year.
Q: What are your views on women’s empowerment and leadership today?
A: I often see a double standard in leadership. When men are outspoken, they are seen as strong leaders, but when women show the same qualities, they may be labeled aggressive. This discourages many women from stepping into leadership roles.
I believe women are naturally strong leaders. They manage multiple responsibilities, demonstrate resilience, and create impact every day. My message to women is to be brave—not fearless, but willing to act despite fear. If we each create change within our own circles, we collectively create meaningful transformation.
Q: Tell us about your book Lazy Leadership and its core idea.
A: The idea came from working with leaders who felt overwhelmed by endless expectations. Many believed they needed to master countless skills, which led to exhaustion.
“Lazy Leadership” is not about doing nothing—it’s about doing fewer but more impactful things. The concept encourages leaders to focus on essential actions that produce better results while reducing unnecessary stress and busy work.
Q: Could you share more about your coaching programs?
A: I offer three main programs:
- Thrive: A Leadership Journey — A six-month group program designed to help individuals develop leadership skills and grow through shared learning experiences.
- Delving into Difficult Discussions — A two-month program focused on communication, handling challenging conversations, and managing workplace interactions.
- Coaching Skills for Leaders — A program that teaches leaders how to use coaching techniques to guide their teams effectively and achieve measurable results.
My approach emphasizes collective wisdom, practical growth, and real-world impact.
Q: What is your perspective on AI and its role in professional work?
A: AI is a powerful tool that saves time and supports research, idea generation, and productivity. I use it for tasks like finding research quickly or generating ideas when creating content.
However, I believe it should never replace human judgment or authenticity. AI can contain biases and errors, so it’s important to verify its output and use it responsibly. It should support human work—not replace human connection.
Q: What message would you like to share with aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs?
A: Being brave doesn’t mean being fearless—it means taking action despite fear. Growth comes from stepping forward, trying new things, and learning from experience. If you never try, the answer will always be no.
“Be brave enough to follow your purpose, learn continuously, and create impact through your leadership.”
Connect with Jenny Barkan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybarkan/
https://www.jennybarkan.com/
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