Name: Jessica Miller-Merrell

Title: Chief Innovation Officer

Organisation: Workology

Jessica Miller-Merrell is the Founder of Workology.com, a workplace resource for HR, recruiting professionals, and business leaders. The site was listed twice as a top 75 career resource by Forbes Magazine. Jessica is the president and CEO of Xceptional HR, a human capital strategy and consulting agency, and is listed by Forbes as a top 50 social media power user.

Because of her industry expertise and knowledge, Jessica’s opinions and expertise are sought after and sourced by publications and media, including The Economist, Forbes, CIO Magazine, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, and SHRM’s HR Magazine. Her new book, Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age, was published in 2023 by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Jessica's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a leader is balancing innovation with execution. In the world of HR and recruiting, I’m constantly identifying new trends, technologies, and opportunities. But leading a business means not just having big ideas—it’s about making sure they actually get implemented. Staying focused, delegating effectively, and ensuring my team has the resources they need to execute have been a continuous learning process.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My journey into leadership wasn’t traditional—I didn’t set out thinking, ‘I want to be a leader.’ I built Workology from the ground up because I saw a gap in HR education. I started blogging, speaking, and creating resources that HR professionals actually wanted. Over time, I became a voice in the industry, not because I aimed for leadership but because I was passionate about supporting HR pros in their work.

Leadership came naturally as Workology grew, and I realized that being a leader isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. I talk to HR practitioners and experts in the field every day, and I am still learning new things right along with the cohorts who take my Ace the HR Exam course.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I’m a morning person, so I start my day early. I started a daily meditation practice that helps me center myself, and I do this first thing. Once my brain is fully awake, I check email and Slack to see if anything urgent needs my attention, and then I spend time on content creation—writing, podcasting, or social media.

My afternoons are usually filled with meetings, whether with my team, clients, or partners. I always make time for learning and networking—staying connected is key in the HR world. In the evenings, I unplug as much as possible, spend time with family, teach yoga classes, and sometimes sneak in some reading or brainstorming for future projects.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

I’ve recently been reminded that clarity is kindness—whether with employees, partners, or clients. People appreciate direct communication, even when the message is tough. Ambiguity creates confusion and unnecessary stress. I’ve learned to be clear in my expectations, transparent in decision-making, and intentional in feedback.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One book that really impacted me is Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. It reinforces the idea that vulnerability and authenticity aren’t weaknesses in leadership—they’re strengths. I’ve read this book several times, and when I went through yoga teacher training last year, I was assigned the book to read again, and it was great to chat about things through a different lens.

Early in my career, I thought I had to project confidence at all times, but this book helped me see that real leadership is about connection, trust, and having the courage to be real. It’s shaped how I lead at Workology and how I interact with my community.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and take action. The best leaders I know are lifelong learners who aren’t afraid to ask questions, admit when they’re wrong, and try new things. So, if you want to lead, be curious, be bold, and don’t wait for permission to start making an impact.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

One of the most meaningful moments in my leadership journey was when I launched Workology’s HR certification courses. I had so many HR pros reaching out, struggling to pass their certification exams, and feeling frustrated with the lack of resources designed for working professionals.

Creating a community-driven, accessible way for them to succeed wasn’t just a business move—it was a way to empower HR professionals. Seeing messages from people who passed their exams because of our courses reminds me why I do this. Leadership is about creating something that makes a difference in people’s lives.