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JEFF WILLIAMS, CEO OF JMJ - WORLD BIZ TOP 100 INNOVATION LEADER OF 2023 - INTERVIEW
JEFF WILLIAMS, CEO OF JMJ, INCLUDED IN WORLD BIZ MAGAZINE - TOP 100 INNOVATION LEADERS OF 2023.
Jeff Williams' career as a business leader, entrepreneur, and consultant spans over 25 years. He has worked with top-tier executives globally, co-designing innovative, people-centric solutions that channel global trends and emerging technologies to yield breakthrough results.
Since assuming the CEO role at JMJ in 2020, Jeff's distinctive skillset and vision have evolved the company's approach to culture change consulting. Under his leadership, JMJ has stepped into the digital realm, helping clients find data-driven solutions to their challenges through the groundbreaking Transformation Cloudâ„¢ technology platform.
Beyond his executive role, Jeff is an entrepreneur and active investor in technology start-ups. He cofounded Umbrage, a digital product studio that designs and develops software solutions and was recently acquired by Bain & Co. He has authored dozens of articles and studies and regularly speaks on topics such as the energy transition, decarbonization, digital disruption, and innovation.
Before JMJ, Jeff held leadership positions at EY, serving as the global oil and gas consulting leader and spearheading the Americas' energy consulting business. He also left his mark at Slalom Consulting, where he led the establishment of the Houston office and market presence.
Earlier in his career, Jeff was a managing director with Accenture for 18 years, advising energy companies on business strategy, operating models, digital strategy, innovation, and large-scale business and technology transformation.
"Our vision at JMJ is to be at the forefront of culture transformation consulting, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. We aim to revolutionize the way organizations approach workplace culture, safety, and sustainability."
WBM - Tell us about JMJ's vision.
JW - Our vision at JMJ is to be at the forefront of culture transformation consulting, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. We aim to revolutionize the way organizations approach workplace culture, safety, and sustainability. By combining our deep expertise with cutting-edge technologies, we aspire to enable clients worldwide to create safe, high-performing, and sustainable workplaces where every individual's potential is realized.
To make this vision a reality, we are committed to:
Investing in ongoing research and development to stay ahead of emerging industry trends and needs
Collaborating with clients and partners to co-create innovative solutions that drive measurable positive change
Expanding our global presence to reach more organizations and positively impact diverse industries.
WBM - What are some of JMJ's highlights over the last 12 months.
JW - In the last 12 months, JMJ has taken its industry-leading approach to culture transformation consulting into the digital realm with the launch of Transformation Cloudâ„¢. Built on 35 years of expertise in cultural change, this cutting-edge technology platform supports the creation of high-performing, safe, and sustainable workplaces. Through Transformation Cloudâ„¢, we provide invaluable insights, detailed analysis, and strategic roadmaps for success, driving positive change and measurable outcomes for our clients.
Additionally, as part of our commitment to promoting safety and sustainability, we launched the free Toolbox Talks app. This offers 52 safety leadership topics in five languages, providing a valuable resource for organizations worldwide to enhance their safety practices and create a culture of care.
WBM - Why is cultural transformation important for organizations?
JW - A commitment to creating a strong, aligned culture with shared values is an investment in the longevity and overall well-being of the entire organization. As leaders, understanding, influencing and managing culture is a significant challenge. JMJ works with leaders across multiple industries, operating in some of the world’s most hazardous environments to achieve breakthrough results simply by recognizing that the safety, health and wellbeing of the workforce has a positive impact on business results, and aligning internal and external stakeholders with their vision.
WBM - How does JMJ create breakthrough results in safety, performance, and sustainability?
JW - JMJ's combination of cutting-edge Transformation Cloud™ technology and consulting expertise helps leaders assess their culture in a data-driven way. This data provides the evidence based to develop a tailored, measurable pathway to achieve the desired results. As a trusted culture change partner to many of the world’s most respected organizations, we have inspired thousands of people working in diverse industries to see things from a different perspective and thrive in their work with breakthrough results in safety, quality and efficiency.
"Transformation Cloudâ„¢ is a technology platform built on 35 years of expertise in cultural change. It supports the creation of high-performing, safe, and sustainable workplaces by providing insights, analysis and roadmaps for success."
WBM - Share with us some insight into JMJ's Transformation Cloud.
JW - Transformation Cloudâ„¢ is a technology platform built on 35 years of expertise in cultural change. It supports the creation of high-performing, safe, and sustainable workplaces by providing insights, analysis and roadmaps for success. Transformation cloud offers a growing library of diagnostic tools which deliver analytics and insights on the current culture:
DEV:Qâ„¢ (Development Quotient) is culture and leadership diagnostic providing valuable insight into the various perspectives that impact performance. By analyzing data and delivering tailored recommendations, JMJ helps organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of the current workplace culture, where change is needed and how to address it.
DEV:Q takes a unique approach by recognizing the value of each stage of development in creating a balanced company culture. An individual's DEV:Q score measures performance orientation and role preference, providing valuable insights into strengths and areas for improvement within the work environment.
On an organizational level, the DEV:Q culture matrix visually represents the performance orientation and role preference scores on a graph. This matrix offers a comprehensive understanding of the alignment of organizational mindsets, enabling the identification of gaps and opportunities for improvement. By leveraging this information, organizations can engineer a desired future state for their culture.
Safety Perceptions Diagnostic: A 40-question online diagnostic tool that gathers input from across all disciplines and levels. It then examines and analyzes the cultural variables that have a measurable impact on workplace safety and the result is a catalyst for change across the organization. A separate Fleet Safety diagnostic is currently in development.
High Performance Diagnostic: This diagnostic tool measures and feeds back information on team perspectives, overall alignment and culture. JMJ’s analysis considers all critical areas of performance and offers insight and recommendations on the most effective transformation path.
Sustainability Culture Diagnostic: poses 40 critical questions regarding sustainability and provides analysis at both individual and organizational levels on the current reality and overall state of readiness for the transformational journey ahead.
WBM - How does JMJ stay ahead of the curve in industries experiencing rapid changes due to technology, ESG, etc.?
JW - JMJ's commitment to staying ahead in dynamic industries lies in its agile mindset and continuous learning. The company actively tracks industry and technological trends, anticipates emerging challenges, and adapts its methodologies to address them. JMJ collaborates with experts across various fields and integrates cutting-edge technology to enhance its solutions. Additionally, our emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects ensures that we remain aligned with evolving sustainability demands and regulatory changes.
WBM - Tell us about JMJ's global presence.
JW - JMJ operates across the globe, serving organizations and major capital projects in diverse industries, including energy, construction, infrastructure, technology and manufacturing . Our international footprint spans continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. While we have a strong presence in major business hubs, JMJ's key focus regions are strategically chosen based on industry demands, regional challenges, and growth opportunities. This approach allows us to provide tailored solutions that resonate with local contexts while maintaining a global perspective.
"At JMJ, the team embodies a unique blend of expertise, passion, and empathy. Our teams comprise professionals from various backgrounds, including safety, psychology, engineering, and management. This diversity enables cross-disciplinary collaboration that enriches the solutions they offer."
WBM - Share with us the qualities of your team and culture.
JW - At JMJ, the team embodies a unique blend of expertise, passion, and empathy. Our teams comprise professionals from various backgrounds, including safety, psychology, engineering, and management. This diversity enables cross-disciplinary collaboration that enriches the solutions they offer. The JMJ culture is characterized by a commitment to excellence, open communication, and a strong sense of purpose. The team's shared dedication to making a positive impact on people's lives drives our continuous pursuit of transformative outcomes.
WBM - What makes a good leader?
JW - At JMJ, we firmly believe in leading by example. Some key attributes we value in effective leaders include:
Visionary: A strong leader possesses a clear vision for the organization's future and adeptly communicates it to all stakeholders, inspiring a shared sense of purpose.
Active Listener: Exceptional leaders prioritize understanding their team members, actively listening to their needs, challenges, and aspirations, and are authentically committed to creating a positive, safe, and supportive work environment.
Decisive: Effective leaders demonstrate courage in making timely decisions, even in uncertain situations, while considering the impact on both the team and the organization.
Committed to growth: Good leaders are dedicated to the growth and development of all team members, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Accountable: Leaders take full responsibility for their actions and decisions, nurturing a culture of accountability rather than blame throughout the organization.
"As a leader, I am driven by the belief that every individual's well-being matters within an organization. I’m passionate about the use of new technologies such as DEV:Q to create cultures where safety, performance, and sustainability are intertwined, resulting in thriving employees and successful businesses."
WBM - What drives you as a leader?
JW - As a leader, I am driven by the belief that every individual's well-being matters within an organization. I’m passionate about the use of new technologies such as DEV:Q to create cultures where safety, performance, and sustainability are intertwined, resulting in thriving employees and successful businesses. I have been struck by the passion and JMJ’s people bring to their work and share the commitment of our clients and our people to seeing organizations evolve, and knowing that the work we do contributes to safer and more sustainable industries globally.
About JMJ
For over 35 years, JMJ has been at the forefront of culture change, helping executives, leaders and the frontline achieve breakthrough results in safety, sustainability and business performance.
Our approach combines consulting expertise and the power of Transformation Cloud â„¢ to make the impossible possible.
As a trusted culture change partner to many of the world’s most respected organizations, we have inspired thousands of people working in diverse industries to see things from a different perspective and thrive in their work.
For more information, visit: jmj.com
