Building Better Leaders Through Lived Experience With Janice Elsley

When I first found out, I felt honored and grateful. Personally, it affirmed that the path I chose—leaving behind broken systems and building something new—was the right one. Professionally, it gives me a larger platform to show leaders that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of people’s wellbeing.

I wanted to showcase the tangible impact of human-first leadership on culture, retention, and performance. The results we’ve achieved—such as reducing staff turnover from 43% to 8%—demonstrate that real transformation is possible, and I believe that story would resonate strongly with the judges.

A defining moment was when I was ousted from an executive role after successfully leading a cultural transformation. Instead of being discouraged, I used it as a turning point to create my own path. That moment gave me the clarity to build Harissa Business Partners and commit fully to reshaping leadership.

Yes, resistance to change is always the biggest obstacle. Many leaders are afraid of new ways of working. Overcoming that required patience, data-driven evidence of results, and building trust step by step. My team’s persistence and belief in the mission helped us keep moving forward.

This award provides visibility, and I intend to use it to amplify conversations around conscious leadership. It’s also an opportunity to connect with other changemakers and organizations who are ready to lead differently and make a sustainable impact.

The process forces you to reflect on your journey, articulate your impact, and celebrate progress you might otherwise overlook. It’s also an excellent way to benchmark your work against international peers.

I’d like to acknowledge my core team, who continue to support this mission with passion and dedication. Their commitment to delivering high-quality programs and supporting leaders makes our work possible.

We’re seeing a major shift towards prioritizing mental health, wellbeing, and purpose in the workplace. Technology is also reshaping how we lead teams. At Harissa, we’re integrating neuroscience and emotional intelligence into leadership development, ensuring leaders are prepared for these realities.

I’d tell my younger self: don’t wait for permission to lead with authenticity. Trust your instincts, even when it feels risky, because authenticity will always outlast fear-based leadership.

Be clear about the impact of your work and back it up with measurable outcomes. Judges want to see not just good ideas, but evidence that those ideas are driving real results.

We’re expanding our leadership programs internationally and building partnerships to bring human-first leadership into more organizations. My focus is on scaling this impact while ensuring the work remains personal, authentic, and transformative.

Leadership is not about titles or power; it’s about creating environments where people feel valued, seen, and able to contribute fully. If we want workplaces and communities to thrive, we need leaders who are willing to be both strong and human.