MEET THE MAESTRO INTERVIEW

Jolynne - Transformational Change Agent

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At Maestro, we know there’s more to life than work. In fact, it’s the experiences, relationships and pursuits we have outside of work that can often give us an edge in what we do each day. We are kicking off an interview series called “Meet the Maestro” where we interview our Maestros and get an insight to who they really are and what makes them tick - beyond the CV.

Our Meet the Maestro this week is Jolynne; a trusted advisor to leaders, teams and organisations who are ready to growl not by adding more, but by unlocking the potential they already have. With a rare ability to see what’s really happening beneath the surface, Jolynne quickly identifies the hidden barriers (whether they’re rooted in confidence, team dynamics, culture, or systems) that hold people and performance back. Her work focuses on revealing the untapped talent and energy within individuals and teams and then helping align those strengths to support both personal fulfilment and organisational success.

Whether she’s working with executives, cross-functional teams, or entire organisations, Jolynne brings a powerful blend of insight and empathy to help people thrive, not just function.

1. Tell us about a career highlight to date…

One of my standout career highlights was co-creating and delivering a high-potential leadership program that continues to be talked about years later. What made it so special was how we brought together a group of people, many of whom didn’t know each other and helped them form deep bonds, build self-belief, and gain the tools to step into the next level of leadership.

These were individuals who were either emerging leaders or ready to grow beyond the frontline. Through this program, we created a powerful community grounded in care, confidence, and genuine support. Watching people unfold, step into their strengths and start leading with greater authenticity was incredibly rewarding.

The impact went beyond the participants themselves. When we spoke with their supervisors, 72% said they now saw these leaders as ready for the next role. Many also observed a lift in engagement within the teams they led. It was also such a joy to watch our graduates go on to make visible, meaningful impact across the organisation. It was energising, fulfilling and a true example of the ripple effect great leadership development can have.

2. Talk us through an unusual career choice you’ve made along the way…

I’m not sure if it qualifies as “unusual,” but one career decision I want to share is a series of pivots I made that often surprise people especially because they challenge the belief that career change has to mean a step backwards.

One of my earliest pivots was moving from a finance analyst role in a telecommunications firm into a trainee position in hospitality. From there, I shifted into strategic planning within local government and eventually into running my own business in organisational and leadership development.

At each stage, the transitions may have seemed unconventional, but they allowed me to grow both in terms of the impact I could make and the rewards I received in return. I share this because so many people I meet hold back from pursuing a role that truly lights them up out of fear they’ll have to take a pay cut or start from scratch. But my experience shows that with the right approach and some self-belief, you can pivot and still progress.

3. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Growing up, I always wanted to be a flight attendant. There was something about the uniform (I had a dress up that I adored wearing), the idea of being up in the air, and helping people travel to beautiful and exciting places that really captured my imagination. I’ve always loved the energy of airports too, that mix of anticipation, emotion and possibility.

I even worked at the airport for a while in a retail role and I remember how special it felt witnessing those real human moments. People reuniting, saying goodbye, or heading off into the unknown. Looking back, I think it was an early sign of how attuned I am to emotion and energy and how much those elements now shape the way I work. Whether it’s helping people tap into confidence, process tough experiences, or reconnect with what lights them up, embracing emotion is a key part of the work I do.

Travel is still something I still love, and fun fact - I even trained as a student pilot at one stage!

4. What are your passions outside of work and how do you make time for them?

I have so many passions outside of work and I think that’s part of why I love what I do. I help people see that work doesn’t have to be their whole identity. We’re all more than our job titles. There’s the work we get paid for, and then there are all the other things we do that bring meaning, joy, and energy and those matter too.

For me, dancing is a big one especially K-pop. I also love karaoke, even though I’m an introvert! I’ve even sung live with a band on a cruise ship, which was an unforgettable experience. These things bring me to life.

As for making time, I’ve learned that these passions aren’t just nice extras. They energise me and actually help me show up better in my work. So for me, it’s not a luxury, it’s a must.

5. If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

If I could instantly master any skill, it would be video storytelling. One of my hobbies is creating videos, I love making short, meaningful clips for family and friends that make them laugh, smile, or feel something. One day, I’d love to create a documentary because I think video is such a powerful way to tell stories and move people, and I truly believe everyone’s story is worth sharing.

Right now, I’m still learning the ropes with editing and visual storytelling there’s a lot to it! So if I could instantly master that skill, I’d jump at the chance. It’s a creative outlet I really enjoy, and it aligns with the heart of my work: helping people connect more deeply to meaning, emotion and human experience.

6. What’s a personal value or belief that guides the way you live your life?

One of my core values is authenticity. Growing up, I often felt pressure to fit in, to be more confident, more outspoken, more assertive just to be seen as capable. But over time, I realised I was spending so much energy trying to be someone I wasn’t, and I had this constant burning that I know I could do more, I just didn’t know how.

The real shift came when I gave myself permission to lean into my natural strengths and just be who I am, and to surround myself with people who value that. That’s when I gave myself permission to shine and truly make a difference. It was a life-changing realisation, and it’s shaped how I work, how I lead, and how I live.

It’s also why I started my podcast, Magnetic Authenticity, because I believe too many people are working and living behind a mask. And when we let go of that pressure to perform or prove ourselves, we unlock an energy and clarity that’s not only liberating, but deeply impactful. True confidence comes from knowing who you are and leading from that place.

7. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome outside of work that shaped you?

This is a tricky one for me because I really believe we’re whole people and often the challenges we face outside of work show up in work, and vice versa. But if I had to pick something strictly outside of work, I’d probably say the time I ran a half marathon… without training for it.

I’d just done a heavy leg session at bootcamp when someone in my group had to pull out of a race. My trainer turned to me and said, “Why don’t you give it a shot?” I said something along the lines of “you could’ve told me before I did 50 minutes of squats…” I hadn’t trained and the most I’d ever run was 10k. But she shrugged and said, “You’ve done 10k, just do that again and you’re done.” So I did.

The first 10k was fine. The next 8k… manageable. But around the 19k mark, it got really tough. I remember thinking, “I don’t care about the time. I just want to finish.” And I did. I couldn’t walk the next day, but I finished.

That experience taught me a couple of things: first, if you want to do something big, preparation helps! But more importantly, it reminded me how often we underestimate ourselves and how what feels painful in the moment can be fleeting. We’re far more capable than we think.

8. What do you think your job will look like in 10 years’ time?

I love this question and honestly, I think the best answer is: I don’t know. The pace of change we’re going to experience over the next decade is likely beyond what many of us can fully grasp right now.

What I do see is that a lot of the tasks we currently spend time on will be done by technology, which opens up space for more creativity, deeper human connection, and a return to the parts of work that machines simply can’t do. As structures and systems shift, and as AI and automation take on more of the repetitive or technical tasks, the true value will lie in how we work with people how we engage, align, and inspire them.

Especially in the realm of leadership, I believe we’re moving into a world where treating people as just resources won’t cut it. You’ll need to connect with individuals as humans, to unlock their unique strengths, foster belonging, and create environments where they can thrive. That will be the difference between organisations that adapt and flourish, and those that fall behind.

So, while the tools and tasks may change, I believe the heart of my work - helping people lead with authenticity, clarity, and impact, will matter more than ever.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?

It would have to be Japan, even though I’ve been many times before. There’s something about it that feels like home in a really unexpected way.

I’m constantly inspired by the culture, particularly the sense of pride people take in their work, no matter the role. There’s a level of care, commitment, and attention to detail that’s both humbling and beautiful to witness. And beyond that, Japan is just endlessly fascinating, from the food to the landscapes to the little hidden corners you stumble across. There’s always something new to explore.

10. What does success look like to you?

I love this question because so many of the clients I work with come in chasing someone else’s version of success. They’ve rarely stopped to ask, What does success actually mean for me?

For me, success is about freedom, the freedom to make choices that align with who I am and that add value to others. It’s about living a life filled with joy, peace and meaningful connection with the people who matter most. And at the same time, it’s about making a positive difference in the world in whatever way I can. When those things come together freedom, fulfilment, and impact that’s success especially when it’s not this big lofty destination, but how you live the little moments right now.