From the Boardroom to Lead Happy: Anna’s Journey to Transform Leadership

28/09/2024

Leadership can be a rewarding but deeply challenging path. For Anna Jester, the founder of Lead Happy, this journey was marked by pivotal moments of growth, resilience, and revelation. Today, Lead Happy is a thriving business that has transformed the lives of thousands of leaders and hundreds of teams – but it all began with a question:

The Struggles of Leadership

Straight out of university, Anna climbed the ranks in global organisations, taking on roles with impressive titles: Team Lead, Project Lead, Head of, and Special Advisor to the CEO. On the surface, it seemed like the perfect trajectory – high-achieving, international, and fast-paced.

But underneath, the story was different. Each step up the ladder brought new challenges and greater responsibility, yet something always felt missing. Anna wrestled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, wondering why, despite doing all the “right” things, she didn’t feel like the leader she aspired to be.

Anna began to notice a pattern among her peers. They, too, were navigating leadership without the tools or guidance they needed. The challenges they faced – miscommunication, misalignment, and burnout – weren’t unique to her. Leadership, it seemed, came with a universal set of struggles, yet no clear blueprint to address them.

The Moment of Clarity

It all came to a head one day during a particularly stressful event. Anna had done everything she could to ensure success – preparation, planning, attention to detail – but the event fell flat. The disappointment hit hard, but it also sparked a realisation: Nobody had told me how this works.

That moment became a turning point. Anna began to see that the gap wasn’t just personal – it was systemic. No matter how accomplished or experienced leaders were, many felt unequipped to handle the real, human challenges of leadership.

Questions that weren’t covered in textbooks or MBA programmes haunted them: How do I inspire trust? How do I connect with my team authentically? How do I lead in a way that feels true to myself?

For Anna, this was a wake-up call. There wasn’t a secret leadership manual waiting to be uncovered – but perhaps there could be a way to help leaders find their own answers.

 

The Birth of Lead Happy

Fueled by curiosity and a desire to understand what great leadership truly meant, Anna embarked on a journey of exploration. She studied leadership theory, worked with diverse teams, and reflected deeply on her own experiences.

The more she learned, the more she realised that leadership wasn’t about fitting a mould – it was about embracing authenticity, fostering trust, and creating the right conditions for people to thrive.

This realisation led to the creation of Lead Happy. Drawing on her own experiences and the insights she’d gained, Anna developed a suite of leadership and team experiences that were different from traditional training programmes.

Lead Happy would focus on helping leaders and teams think differently, so they could act differently.

At its core, Lead Happy is built around a simple but powerful idea: to lead brilliantly is to lead confidently, authentically, courageously, and happily.

 

A Decade of Transformation

In the ten years since its inception, Lead Happy has grown into a trusted partner for leaders, teams, and organisations across industries. From dismantling siloes to fostering collaboration, from coaching individuals to aligning senior leadership teams, Lead Happy’s tailored approach has had a lasting impact.

The results speak for themselves:

• 95% of participants rate their Lead Happy experience as Excellent or Outstanding.
• 100% would recommend Lead Happy to a colleague or friend

But for Anna, the real measure of success is the stories she hears from clients – stories of transformation, renewed confidence, and lives changed for the better.

 

The Biggest Leadership Lesson

Reflecting on her journey, Anna shares the most important lesson she’s learned: “Brilliant leadership starts with being true to yourself. When you lead with confidence, authenticity, and courage, you create a ripple effect that transforms teams, organisations, and lives.”

Through Lead Happy, Anna continues to help leaders embrace this ethos. By fostering connection, understanding, and growth, Lead Happy empowers people to lead in a way that feels both natural and impactful.

Start Your Journey with Lead Happy

Leadership doesn’t come with a guidebook, but with the right support, it can be a journey of profound growth and impact. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a new leader finding your way, Lead Happy is here to help you unlock your potential and lead brilliantly.

Talk to us today:  https://hello.leadhappy.co.uk/welcome

Or go back to the about page:  https://leadhappy.co.uk/about-and-testimonials/