Episode 27: Gemma Major on radical accountability, imposter syndrome, and ego death

Future Directors Podcast

We recently had the pleasure of Gemma Major’s company as a guest on Boardroom Hustle, and wow, what an episode it turned out to be. Paul and Gemma hold a conversation filled with inspirational soundbites, motivational encouragement and even a bit of spirituality and life purpose.

Gemma is an incredible woman. She sits on the board of Philanthropy NZ as both a board member and youth advisor, and is also the Co-Founder of Seed Waikato, an organisation that works tirelessly to strengthen the wellbeing of young people, enabling and empowering them to create solutions by enabling holistic, regenerative change that will serve to imprint on their own tamariki (Māori for ‘children’).

Gemma has a heart for philanthropy. However, she noticed there was a definite lack of cognitive diversity within this area, and felt encouraged to fight in order to fill these gaps. Gemma knows that young people can bring unique strengths and skills to the board dynamic, and as such, she wanted them to be properly represented at that level.

Paul and Gemma also deep dive into topics like:

• How did Gemma feel encouraged to walk into the philanthropic space – a space traditionally dominated by much older people?
• Imposter syndrome – how has it manifested in Gemma? And what’s more, how has she worked to overcome it?
• The surprising frequency of people experiencing imposter syndrome – and the best tips to overcome it
• How a growth mindset is essential as a board director
• Ego death – what is this, and how does it relate to the boardroom?
• How to better serve your inner child so you can in turn better serve your board
• Why it’s essential to have radical accountability and responsibility for yourself and your behaviour
• What will Gemma’s role be moving forward, as boards and governance evolve?
• The importance of bringing in more diversity into the boardroom, in order to represent everyone as fairly as possible

Connect with Gemma here:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Seed Waikato