Meet Jill D. Griffin | Strategist | Executive Coach | Speaker | Invisible Disabilities & Well-being Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill D. Griffin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill D., can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My work helps individual and professional communities. As a traumatic brain injury (TBI survivor) with an invisible disability, I have the unique ability to really “see people”.

Getting clear on your career well-being, your non-negotiables, and understanding your unique talents is what creates confidence, conviction, and possibility.

If you are unhappy for most of your work day, it will be hard to show up for the people in your life—Families, children, and friends are all impacted by our careers. I help leaders love their work again, create a new level of confidence, and design a plan for what’s next.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets you apart from others is I am an executive coach who’s been there. Many of my peers were former recruiters and HR professionals. They bring a needed perspective to the career process. My unique value is I’ve been there. I’ve worked my way up and through the ranks of global organizations and start-ups. I’ve been hired. Fired (more than once) and I learned how to investigate my mind and bounce back. Sure I’ve failed. But my wins were big.

And…As my career started to pick up steam, I was involved in an accident that led to head trauma, forcing me to rethink, reset, and reboot my career and my life. The injury forced me to live on purpose, rather than in reaction.
It forced me to consider how much of an impact my thoughts played in creating my results.
And, it forced me to adjust my own career trajectory: While I still spent many years consulting with incredible brands like The Coca-Cola Cola Company, Microsoft, Hilton Hotels, and Samsung, I also became a certified coach passionate about helping others create fulfilling careers and lives.
Fast forward to now, I work with busy clients to achieve results by clearing out their old B.S. (belief systems). This necessary work helps them clarify what they want to create and rewires their thoughts so they can see the results they want and be confident it’s within their reach.
They stop treating the symptom and start treating the deeper problems holding them back.
I believe without investigating your mind; you will not make sustainable changes to propel you into action. And without action, you won’t grow and achieve your goals. Both sides need to be addressed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting New York and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d meet up on Friday at Union Square Cafe, on 19th Street and Park Avenue South for an early dinner. Danny Meyer Classic. Best food. Outrageous service. 5 start Neighborhood vibe.

We’d then hop the subway to Times Square and see FreeStyle Love Supreme. Hip Hop. Human Beat Box. Improv. NYC at it’s best.

We’d then head over to Brandy’s Piano Bar on East 84th. 35+ years of live cabaret and musical performance. All the servers perform and sing and encourage attendees to sing along.

Saturday we’d start early with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. There and back. Once we are back on the NY side we’d wander into Chinatown for Dim Sum. While there are many gems Golden Unicorn is perfect for newbies. It’s upscale Cantonese-style banquet-style dining restaurant with dim sum service. To die. 18 East Broadway.

After a delicious brunch, I’d recommend a Chinatown and Little Italy walking tour.

Or Walk the Highline. A very cool park that is an architectural wonder that’s built on the former elevated railroad tracks. It weaves throughout the west side. Lots of great restaurants and galleries underneath at any point you can pop off and hit a restaurant or enjoy a gallery

After the tour, I would recommend dinner at Balthazar. A classic NYC-Soho brasserie. Great people and low-key celebrity watching.

Or if you are in the mood for Italian and you can get a reservation, hit Carbone. Excellent Italian.

On Sunday, I would grab a classic NY bagel and coffee and hit the park. Tal Bagels on East 86th and Lexington Ave is the perfect park before you hit Central Park. Then off to a stroll through Central Park and see some of the major sites: Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, or the Loeb Boathouse.

Then head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which sits right on Central Park. You can hit one or two galleries. I always love the costume institute metropolitan museum of art, or hit one of the classics and see some of the most famous paintings in the world.

After the Musem I would would head over to Bemelmas bar at the Carlyle. Live music. Make sure to take in the hand-painted Murals all around the bar (think: Madeline’s children’s books!) before you head to the airport

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Bosses: I thank Erica Rosengart and Olivier Gers, two former supervisors who showed me the power of empathic leadership. Empathy without leadership gives you connection but no solution. Leadership without empathy results in “power over” which can be toxic, and no one wants to be led by a leader without empathy.

Mentors:
Susan Hyatt, Author, and Entrepreneur has always provided the perfect balance I needed of support and stretch. Plus she’s EXTRA in all the best ways. Michelle Barry Franco for seeing me and helping me powerfully tell my story.

Books:
One of the most powerful books I have ever read was Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. It’s a story of faith and resilience. If she could tap into her inner strength and faith to survive the Rwandan genocide, than I can tap into my resources to recover from a TBI. I had the honor of meeting the author a few years later and I full-on ugly cried. She held me and comforted me. She’s a tower of strength and inspiration.

Website: https://jillgriffincoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillgriffinofficial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillgriffin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillGriffinCoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvYwvEg8TxPfyw9ua3ap38w

Other: https://jillgriffincoaching.com/podcast/

Image Credits
Shannon Confair Photography and Heather Masters Photography