Our global community includes mastery-level facilitators and coaches across Europe, MENA, Asia, the USA and Mexico, backed by a brilliant team of project managers, and led by a team of highly experienced business leaders.
Here we find out more about business psychologist Dr Jill Collett who began working with iOpener on the Science of Happiness at Work™ in 2006.
In 2006, I met Jessica Pryce-Jones, co-founder of iOpener, through a mutual connection. Jess was particularly interested in the research I had been involved with at Oxford University on flourishing and happiness. At the time, Jess was developing the Science of Happiness at Work™ model. Over the next few years, I worked with the global partners and licensed practitioners at iOpener to enable everyone to understand what the Science of Happiness at Work™ is all about. Since then I have gone on to deliver many leadership development and coaching programs as a consultant with iOpener.
I specialize in building functional dynamics in executive-level teams, to enable them to perform as "one team" , not a collection of individuals, and to move up to the next level. I coach senior executives, both individually and on a systemic team basis, to help them develop their leadership skills and presence.
Mindfulness is also a key aspect of my work. I am trained by the Oxford Mindfulness Centre and am dedicated to bringing Mindfulness to people in their work and life. Mindfulness is one of the most researched interventions any organization can introduce. The benefits include increased resilience, creativity, and focus and can have a significant impact on the bottom line and is therefore very compatible with iOpener’s Science of Happiness at Work™ model.
Our meticulous research on the Science of Happiness at Work™, with over 54,000 respondents from across the globe, makes us different. It provides the academic research basis for all of the practical interventions we deliver. Everything we do is about supporting leaders to create environments where people flourish and perform – where they are happy at work and giving their best. You could say, we help people and organizations to reach their potential.
We’ve also got brilliant people who work with us. Everyone is highly skilled and trained at what we do. And with such a fantastic global resource, we use the best people for the client, every time.
I really enjoy working with Executive or C-Suite level teams to help them perform at their best. For example, I meet leaders who are individually brilliant, but the team that they are part of isn’t enabling them to give their best. I work with them to build trust and relationships, developing a common vision that they all feel really committed to. Seeing the growth of these incredible teams, and the increase in performance, is so rewarding. It’s magic. Through our interventions, we enable the trust and support of one another – the growth of authentic, meaningful, and supportive relationships, that enhances the ability of the team to think creatively and be agile. Something that is crucial in the current economic environment we all work in.
I loved going to Berlin for a client workshop earlier this year, as I took some extra time and got to see the Berlin wall, the Holocaust memorial, and other historical sites. Getting to see the world whilst working is fantastic. I really enjoy working in, and traveling as, a team as I get to spend time with the other consultants. They are all incredible at what they do, and such nice colleagues to work with.
Leaders today are facing a rapidly changing environment with very little stability. Dramatic change happens every year. Embracing technology is a looming challenge, with the impact of things like AI. We know there is an increase in mental health issues, along with the continued commercial pressure on leaders. That’s why it’s so important that leaders are in flourishing teams which enable them to be resilient and agile in their thinking. A strong foundation of relational support is more important than ever.
To worry less and take more risks. Growth and development are not always comfortable, but they are really rewarding. Adopt a positive mindset and be open to take on new challenges. Things that are interesting, new and different, are an opportunity to be embraced – not a threat to shy away from.
For the last few years, I have been much more involved in the leadership of iOpener on the Senior Leadership Team. I love the new challenge of working more strategically and looking forward to the future growth of our brilliant organization.