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 our Operations Director Jonathan Hann, a member of our Senior Leadership Team who is passionate about working with our partners to find solutions for complex business challenges.
When did you first become involved with iOpener?
My background is varied and my path has been unusual. I trained as a classical musician, an oboist, and I cut my teeth in the professional world in social enterprise before learning and development. I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger than I am, and to make an impact on this world. And luckily I was looking for a new opportunity to help me do this when iOpener was looking to add someone new to their team in 2014.
Initially, I was drawn by the iOpener values and ethos which directly aligned with my own. And I continue to be proud that as an organization we are able to make a difference to employees all over the world by giving them the tools and skills to be exceptional leaders. It’s what gets me up in the morning; it is so meaningful to play a role in the transformation of leaders, and to be part of their journeys.
What makes iOpener different from other leadership consultancies?
The quality of our community, the quality of the relationships and partnerships we build with our clients, and our commitment to quality set us apart. And our ability to be flexible, challenging and a true thought partner allows us to build robust and innovative solutions for our clients.
Our community is also at the top of their game due to their commitment to continued personal and professional development.
What is your favorite part of your role?
My favorite part of this role is working together as a team to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone and challenge what’s possible. While collaborating with incredibly talented and creative people from different backgrounds, walks of life, and perspectives. And to ultimately have incredible results.
What is the best iOpener project you have ever worked on?
My favorite client project I’ve worked on was Chicago Booth in 2015. For their LEAD program that year we worked with over 240 exceptional EMBA students based at 3 campuses. We ran sessions with the entire international cohort in London three times during the summer, and at regional events in Chicago, Hong Kong and London over the winter. Being relatively new to iOpener at the time, it made an impact because I saw us practicing what we preached. And I saw lightbulb moments from participants, the transformation and development these leaders were having, and how our team was pushing them to challenge their own thoughts and behaviour. It was inspiring.
What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
In our VUCA world, leaders need to adapt and change quickly whilst remaining resilient under extreme pressures and workloads. They need to be able to embrace change and they need to take the time to reflect, grow, develop and become increasingly more self-aware. With technology transforming the way the world works, leaders need to keep pace, which is a monumental challenge.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Don’t come to me with problems, come to me with solutions.” It’s so easy for us to get wrapped up in the negative and focus on issues. We need to come to the table with solutions to become resourceful and gain mobility. A culture of curiosity is important and that phrase embodies it; don’t get bogged down by what’s going wrong, instead be driven by finding the solutions. And don’t be afraid to fail.
Jonathan Hann is iOpener’s Operations Director and an executive coach. With a background in community development, the arts, and social enterprise, Jonathan is passionate about enabling teams and individuals to be their best versions of themselves.