Building Leadership with Integrity and Intent CJ Jackson, Manager of Organizational Development, Omaha Public Power District

Finding the Courage to Lead Through Change: CJ Jackson first encountered Personify Leadership at a time when Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) was pushing for deeper leadership alignment. As a manager focused on growing leaders across a utility organization steeped in legacy systems, CJ was looking for a program that balanced structure with heart. What stood out to her was how Personify’s body-based competency model sparked immediate self-reflection and connection. It wasn’t about checking a box—it was about shifting mindsets. From the very first exposure, she saw the potential for wide organizational impact.

Making It Personal: CJ opened up about how Personify helped her examine her own leadership habits. While she has always brought compassion and empathy into her work, she admitted that there were moments where confidence wavered—especially in high-stakes conversations. Through the “Spine of a Leader” and “Voice of a Leader” modules, she gained tools to speak up clearly, even when it was uncomfortable. CJ described a pivotal moment when she used the framework to challenge a long-standing norm, an experience that reinforced her belief that discomfort is often the doorway to growth.

Influencing Culture from the Middle: One of CJ’s biggest challenges at OPPD is influencing culture change from a middle space—between senior leaders and emerging talent. After becoming a certified facilitator, she used Personify to bring both groups into shared learning experiences. She found that the visual metaphors and tangible anchor tools—like stress relievers and cards—kept the lessons alive in real meetings. Managers began referring to competencies by name. “We started hearing people say, ‘That’s a Spine moment,’ or ‘I need to listen with Ears, not just react,’” CJ said. It was clear the language was sticking.

Sustaining Momentum with Intention: CJ emphasized that what makes Personify unique isn’t just its curriculum, but how easy it is to integrate across time. She’s begun using the competencies as a rhythm—bringing one into focus each quarter and tying it to leadership check-ins, book clubs, and project reflections. The simplicity of the program allows for quick adoption, even in a fast-moving, highly regulated utility environment. CJ described the Personify model as “timeless and flexible,” and praised its ability to bridge generations and leadership levels with ease.

Personify Leadership is a two-day leadership development program based on 8 core competencies. In this highly interactive and engaging program, your leaders will learn practical and hands-on tools for leading in your organization. Learn more at www.PersonifyLeadership.com #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonifyLeadership #LearningAndDevelopment #ExperientialLearning #EmotionalIntelligence #CourageousConversations #DiSC #PeopleFirstLeadership #LeadershipTraining #WorkplaceCulture