Spotlights
Spotlight: Jennifer Gleeson Blue
Your name:
Jennifer Gleeson Blue
Your brief bio:
Jennifer Gleeson Blue is founder and president of Get There From Here, a Philadelphia-based coaching company. Jennifer specializes in supporting creative and entrepreneurial professionals to live and work authentically, and she helps organizations create collaborative strategies to address intergenerational diversity. Core to her methodology is the idea of story - the notion that people are living their lives, pursuing their careers and running their businesses based on deeply held and oftentimes subconscious narratives that guide them. She uses this as a touchstone to unlocking their potential. An accomplished speaker, writer and coach, Jennifer holds a bachelors in communication, is a graduate of Coach U, a past board member of the Philadelphia Area Coaches Alliance and a member of the International Coach Federation.
Firm/company:
Get There From Here
Occupation:
Perpetual Employee of the Month (a.k.a. Professional Coach)
Current Location:
West Philadelphia
Hometown:
Wenonah, NJ
Favorite Philadelphia neighborhood:
West Philadelphia
Best advice you've ever been given:
Belief is not a "must." It's helpful, but the more important thing is the absence of fear and resistance.
Your favorite thing about living in the Philadelphia Region:
I love the fact that Philly is comprised of such strong, independent neighborhoods. Every time I'm in another neighborhood, I marvel at how delightful and special it feels.
Your favorite thing about working in the Philadelphia Region:
For a relatively new field like mine (coaching), Philadelphia feels like raised eyebrows and I truly appreciate this subtle skepticism! It keeps me on my toes, ever sharpening my message and my work. Of course, when Philly lets you in, those raised eyebrows become a big bear hug. And I like that, too.
How would you market the Philadelphia Region to professionals outside the region?
Philadelphia: Bright Lights, Date City! On a serious note, I'd be inclined to tout Philadelphia as the East's best-kept secret and a place rich in diversity, affordability and creative energy.
What are the best tools and resources creative professionals can use to better prepare themselves for career change?
Their primary resources should be themselves. We're so conditioned to look externally for the right answer, for someone to tell us what to do or how to do it, that we forget that we're our own best guide. For that reason, I spend significant time helping my clients tap into their inner wisdom.
The second most important resource is a solid network. Most successful career changes are the result of good networking and Philly is full of associations, career-specific networking groups and intentional social gatherings for professionals. Naturally, one's personal network is often the most useful.
My last recommendation is that creative professionals utilize whatever tools help them stay ahead of the skills-game in their specific field. Creative industries advance rapidly and, for those looking to make career changes, it's important to be up-to-date on new developments.
Description of your business/company:
Get There From Here is a coaching company that uses the power of story to facilitate strong, authentic and creative clients. We equip individuals and organizations to identify prevailing stories that serve as personal or strategic obstructions and then re-author or transcend them, effectively bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be. More information can be found at www.getthere-fromhere.com.