Jonathan Macdonald is a visionary thinker reshaping how the world views leadership, equity, and human potential. His journey—from overcoming personal adversity to challenging long-standing societal structures—offers a rare blend of vulnerability, strength, and clarity. Humans of Fuzia is featuring Jonathan for his bold mission to elevate women globally, his belief in a more compassionate future, and his unwavering commitment to shaping a world where every individual—especially women—recognizes their innate power. His story is a reminder for our 5M+ community that change begins not with perfection, but with courage.
Q: Jonathan, tell us about your work and the mission behind it.
A: In the UK, gender equity in leadership is centuries away if we continue at the current pace. My work is centered around permanently shifting the association women have with leadership—because much of the internal resistance is actually the result of deep external conditioning. I’m challenging long-standing systems and trying to create a pathway for women to rise to executive control globally.
Q: What do you currently do for a livelihood?
A: I’m blessed to live in the UK, but my income is not what defines me. What drives me is the purpose behind the work I’m doing—transforming the narrative around women in leadership, business, and society. The financial aspect doesn’t drive me as much as the mission itself.
Q: You’ve been through extraordinary personal challenges. How have those shaped your journey?
A: My life has been full of experiences that forced me to grow. I was adopted, lived with an avoidant attachment style, and struggled with physical and emotional connection. In 1996, a motorcycle accident left the right side of my body paralyzed. The nerve damage caused constant pain—29 years and counting.
For six years after the accident, I tried to end my life through reckless behavior, addiction, and self-destruction. But eventually, I began learning, reframing pain, and using tools like NLP. Each challenge built resilience and shaped my understanding of human behavior, leadership, and purpose.
Q: What is “Potency,” the concept you often talk about?
A: Potency is my mission to create 500,000 women who think fundamentally differently—a new way of seeing themselves and the world. To make that possible, I’m working on a large-scale project that involves engaging with major global leaders, including those within Shell. It’s about shifting business, education for girls, and social mobility together in one impactful move.
Q: Your profile mentions “SocialMeToo.” What is it about?
A: I learned during lockdown that women receive abuse online every single day—messages, threats, harassment. I wasn’t aware of this since I don’t use smartphones or stay digitally immersed.
So, I had a platform built—similar to everyonesinvited.co.uk—where women can anonymously share their experiences without fear, judgment, or exposure. You don’t register, you don’t log in—you simply write your story, and it leaves your mind and lands somewhere safe. For some, that is healing.
Q: Without being active on digital platforms, how do you spread awareness about your work?
A: With intention. I appear on LinkedIn only when I need to create impact. I’ve recorded around 750 videos on my YouTube channels—conversations on mental health, suicide prevention, dyslexia, business growth, and more. I don’t chase followers. I share for those who need it, and I build connections that matter.
Q: What goals have you set for 2025–2026?
A: I’m now moving toward reaching four individuals in executive positions at Shell. Through them, I’ll introduce a research-driven thesis and interview their female employees to deepen my Potency work. While I ultimately need $50 billion to scale the full mission, I’m not asking for that—I’m leading with value and insight to open doors. The return on investment I propose is transformative and achievable.
Q: What challenges do you face in your work—technical or personal?
A: Aside from funding, my challenges are mostly practical—like fixing metadata on websites or fine-tuning communication tools. Nothing stops me; everything is solvable. The deeper challenge is translating an enormous vision into a world that may not yet be ready. But I’m persistent. Someone has to imagine beyond the boundaries.
“Life is a splendid torch—we must burn it as brightly as possible before passing it to future generations. My purpose is to serve the community, to work tirelessly, and to help others see the extraordinary power they already possess.”
Connect with Jonathan Macdonald:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/potencyworld
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