3 minute read
Dr. Jennifer (Konkin) Harper
from Woman magazine
Helping to Create Great Leaders
Photo by James Harper
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Dr. Jennifer (Konkin) Harper is the principal of KoJeneration, chief investigator of the Leadership Studies, a published researcher, and a gifted designer of programs that facilitates and identifies leadership. My editor wanted to know what advice Dr. Harper would give to other women starting a business today. Dr. Harper responded with “follow your passion and find a good mentor that is willing to help guide you.” Simply put, but eloquently stated. She also added, “work with people who will give you feedback and coach you, or get a coach yourself to take your skills to the next level. I was fortunate to have strong learning experiences with my mentors, they believed in me and set me up for success.”
Dr. Harper conducted nation-wide research into leadership behaviors that predict performance. “research shows leadership is more about the behaviors we choose to engage in instead of our individual characteristics or personality” she says. By creating greater insight into self-awareness around effective and ineffective workplace behaviors, the team at KoJeneration works to increase the performance of leaders through individual coaching, or group programs.
The Leadership Dashboard, the result of Dr. Harper’s research, is of particular interest to clients wanting to learn the strengths they may possess. This data, compiled from the Dashboard, is transformed into a practical application of leadership and performance. The client can develop these qualities into tools they can effectively implement to become more effective managers.
I was curious how mentorship may have played into Jennifer’s research and the creation of her business. Did she live her own advice? She describes a number of research supervisors and supporters from the business community, but two stand out as key contributors.
Ron Rembisz helped her focus her research, so it was both scientific and impactful for the business community. This mentoring and coaching must have
helped. Dr. Harper’s research won an award for research quality. She has been a featured guest on The Coaching Perspective Radio Show where Dr. Harper was interviewed on performance in the workplace, and impactful coaching techniques. She has been a facilitator for the Los Angeles Chapter of the International Coach Federation where Dr. Harper educated coaches on the effectiveness of coaching techniques. The results of this award-winning research have culminated in the Leadership Dashboard Assessments, and best practice approaches to leadership development available through KoJeneration.
She describes learning a lot about being a leader herself and about running a business from Michael Brainard. In looking through Dr. Harper’s history, I could see his influence in her success. While working with him, she was the Chief Operations Officer of Brainard Strategy. Here, Dr. Harper led a Center of Excellence that specialized in the custom design, delivery, and facilitation services of performance and development solutions to clients of all sizes, and gained greater international exposure. She is now currently working in 7 countries and attributes the ability to customize programs to this experience.
Dr. Harper received her doctorate in Consulting Psychology with expertise in leadership development and workplace performance. She even remained to teach at Alliant in the area of organizational psychology after graduation.
Jennifer is Canadian and moved to the United States about ten years ago. She is married to who she describes as “the most wonderful husband”, James Harper, who provides an effective sounding board for her thoughts and ideas. Together, they have two very affectionate four-legged miniature American Eskimo dogs. She is also a clarinetist and plays in the MiraCosta Symphony Orchestra. Playing the clarinet is a creative outlet for Jennifer, and she enjoys giving back to the community. She also enjoys the friends and colleagues she has met while performing concerts and other ‘gigs.’
When I asked Dr. Harper to tell me who she was in just a few words, she said, “I’m passionate, and I like working with people.”
I was able to ask her team, Rebecca and Hunter that same question, tell me in one word, who and what Dr. Harper is. Rebecca’s response was “authentic,” and Hunter added “inspirational.” What an appropriate term to use to describe Dr. Harper, since she is one of a select group of San Diego Woman, that are being featured in our brand new premier section, ‘an Diego Woman Magazine’s Inspirational Women.’
