Jess Pettitt - Becoming a Bridge-Builder

“There is a real power in recognizing that when you are The Only you are potentially the one who has received the invitation to be in that space.” – Jess Pettitt

Jess Pettitt, MEd, MBA, CSP, is a master bridge-builder. Drawing on her broad expertise—including stand-up comedy and keynote speaking—she elevates conversations and challenges audiences to grow. A top facilitator, educator, and speaker in leadership, diversity, and inclusion, Jess holds master’s degrees in Education and Business Administration, with emphases on crisis management and corporate social responsibility. She also understands the power of accepting your weaknesses and areas for growth.

Did she always feel the power of being “The Only”? If so, how can someone cultivate that power?

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“What we are prioritizing or how we are defining something might be a nuance that is critical to who that person is, and that is intriguing.” – Jess Pettitt

Our world feels more polarized and disconnected than ever, making it hard to truly see and understand each other. Many of us are so exhausted that we’ve stopped connecting and having real conversations. Jess helps us navigate these uncomfortable spaces, sharing her secret to forming better connections—no matter what our differences are.

In today’s show, we explore how to connect while still honoring yourself, how to embrace different styles of power and leadership, and how to discover your own leadership path. We also discuss two simple questions that can transform how you communicate and connect with others. Finally, Jess shares the parable of the long spoons—illustrating what it means to build bridges and why it matters.

“I don’t think I have answered a question, I think I have just gotten more habitually used to asking.” – Jess Pettitt

Show Notes:

How to overcome the fear of being The Only
What does it mean to be a bridge-builder
How to define your style of leadership
Why is it important to be a bridge-builder
How to find your inner strength

“We can learn from history anytime…but we don’t want to because it is really heavy lifting of recognizing what we are responsible for.” – Jess Pettitt

3 Pieces of Advice or Action Steps:

No one is going to invite you to do it
When you do it, you don’t have to do it every day
If you are unhappy the best thing to do is to make someone else happy

“If we don’t know or acknowledge that we have very different definitions of responsibility, the first bridge is finding out what the other person feels responsible for.” – Jess Pettitt

Brand and Resource Mentions:

Get your copy of Almost Doing Good: Doing the Best That You Can With What You Have Some of the Time by Jessica Pettitt
Get your copy of Good Enough Now: How Doing the Best We Can With What We Have Is Better Than Nothing by Jessica Pettitt

Connect with Jess Pettitt:

Facebook | Instagram | Jess Pettitt

Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

The Power Of The Only Book is ready! Click here to Pre-order and get the a early preview of the introductory chapter.

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry, or community or the only woman in the room, we’re here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence, and representation, to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

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To you and your voice,