Collaborative Leadership and Relationship Building: Insights from Julie Cnossen - Ep. 1
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Welcome to the debut episode of "Everyday Leaders, Leading Exceptionally!" I'm your host, Ashley Pattee, and today, I have the incredible privilege of speaking with Julie Cnossen, a seasoned leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Julie has recently transitioned into the for-profit world as the CEO of John Grace Restoration, and she's here to share her valuable insights on leadership development.
In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of embracing a learner mindset and the importance of shifting from transactional to collaborative leadership. Julie opens up about the profound challenges she faced in her first supervisory role and how intentional relationship-building became her cornerstone for success.
We also explore the often-overlooked aspects of leadership, such as the necessity of ego management and the critical role of reciprocal feedback. Julie’s journey from feeling unprepared to leading a high-performing team is nothing short of inspiring.
Join us as Julie shares her story with warmth and honesty, revealing how self-awareness and emotional intelligence have guided her through career transitions. Her journey reminds us of the power of curiosity, connection, and purpose in professional settings. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that highlights the real-life challenges and triumphs of everyday leaders who lead exceptionally!
Julie’s Bio:
Julie Cnossen has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. In the past, she has served as a program director for a Grand Rapids area nonprofit focused on supporting runaway and homeless youth. Before that, Julie provided clinical services and support to men exiting the justice system, provided treatment for women who were chemically dependent, and provided trauma-focused counseling to refugees seeking safety within West Michigan. Julie received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Grand Valley State University and maintains licensure in the state of Michigan as a clinical social worker. During her time within the nonprofit sector, she also served on several Michigan statewide boards. In 2021, Julie made a career move from the nonprofit arena to the for-profit space and currently serves as a CEO at John Grace Restoration in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
John Grace provides cleanup and repair services for residential and commercial customers within West Michigan who have experienced property loss. Julie is responsible for 115 staff members in 4 service locations in her current role. Julie holds a strong belief in collaboration in people development. In all of her positions, Julie has worked hard to create authentic and accountable spaces where leaders are empowered to focus on their strengths and develop high-performing, inclusive teams. Julie has lived and worked her entire life in West Michigan. She has been married for 22 years and has two young adult children. Julie has been involved in various faith-based communities within West Michigan and is always seeking new opportunities to provide volunteer support to justice-focused initiatives.
Connect with Julie:
Website: https://www.john-grace.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-cnossen-0069ab43/
Connect with Ashley:
Schedule a call with Ashley: https://calendly.com/evokecs
Connect with Ashley on IG: www.instagram.com/evokecoachingservices/