311: How to be an effective, outcome focused leader with Jessi Szurek

What outcome are you actually after? It's one of the most important questions a leader can ask — and one most organizations get wrong. Jessi Szurek, Associate Partner at Synthesis, joins Toni for a conversation about outcome-focused leadership, AI adoption done right, and the career-defining skill of speaking up when you're being overlooked. Jessi's path took her from an architecture degree at Cornell to an MBA at NYU, through 17 years at Ernst & Young working across process automation and AI with global financial institutions, to a smaller consulting firm reinventing what client value really means. This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone leading change, adopting AI, or trying to get clear on what actually matters — plus one of the best examples of calling out being ignored that we've had on the show. What we covered: The non-linear journey: architecture, an MBA in economics, and 17 years at a global consulting firm Why Jessi left a role she was good at when her objectives and her employer's diverged Outcome-focused thinking: the difference between the actions and the actual outcome Why most companies think they know their outcomes but don't — and how to find real clarity Why sometimes the right move is to stop and reprioritize instead of just doing what you're told Transparency as a leadership tool — and why short-term discomfort creates long-term value AI adoption is change management, not magic: why AI is just the next tool in the toolbox The AI skepticism problem: what to do when people are being forced to adopt tools they resist Why user buy-in matters more than the perfect solution — the paper Rolodex principle The golf story: how Jessi challenged being overlooked and what it taught everyone in the room What's the worst that can happen? Reframing the fear of speaking up Setting boundaries and choosing your environment over putting your head down Why the most important decision you'll ever make is who you choose as your partner Finding success in discomfort — and being your own biggest cheerleader Useful Links Connect with today's guest, Jessi, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-petrosino/ and find out more about Synthesis at https://synthesis.ink. This episode was sponsored by our guest,Jessi Szurek. Thank you Jessi & Synthesis for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!