In this debrief episode, hosts Julienne Ryan and Jerome Deroy reflect on their conversation with Jennifer Langton, former NFL executive and champion of player safety, innovation, and ethical tech. They discuss how Jennifer’s unique leadership style—grounded in empathy, curiosity, and continuous learning—led to groundbreaking work in AI and athlete health, and what we can all take from her example.

At a time when tech often feels impersonal, Jennifer's story is a reminder that the most effective innovation happens when people are placed at the center.

You’ll Hear:

💡 Empathy as a Leadership Strategy – How Jennifer built trust across disciplines by leading with compassion and listening first.

🧠 Becoming a Student Again – Why great leaders are willing to admit what they don’t know and learn from subject matter experts around them.

🏈 A Mission-Driven Approach to Innovation – How her work at the NFL prioritized player health, making the use of AI truly purpose-driven.

🎤 From Injury to Impact – How a personal turning point shaped Jennifer’s trajectory and deepened her leadership values.

🌟 The Power of Pivots – Why stories of resilience—especially from athletes and performers—carry powerful lessons for anyone navigating change.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Human-First Leadership Wins – Progress happens when you start with people, not processes or platforms.

✅ Expertise Is Everywhere – Great leaders don’t have all the answers. They know how to bring the right voices into the room—and listen.

✅ Your Story Is Your Strength – Personal turning points, like Jennifer’s athletic injury, often spark the greatest professional growth.

✅ Performance Meets Presence – In high-stakes roles, being grounded in your values and present in your relationships is what sustains long-term success.

✅ Inspiration Is Contagious – When leaders model empathy and learning, it empowers others to do the same—and creates cultures where collaboration thrives.

For anyone looking to grow as a leader while staying true to themselves, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by what’s possible when compassion meets strategy.

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

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