In this episode of the Kingdom Leadership Advantage podcast, I(Dionne Van Zyl) had the privilege of sitting down with Jenny Taylor, Director of Operations at Brilliant Perspectives. Jenny’s journey into leadership is one of faith, transformation, and deep partnership with God. Through her experience, she has developed a leadership philosophy rooted in trust, kindness with boundaries, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
Her story is an inspiring testament to how true kingdom leadership isn’t just about leading a team—it’s about creating an environment where people thrive, innovation flourishes, and God’s principles are actively at work in business.
The Journey to Leadership: From Reluctance to Purpose
Jenny’s leadership path wasn’t something she initially sought out. In fact, she resisted it because of past experiences with poor leadership. She had witnessed leaders who misused their power, who failed to create safe environments, and who inflicted harm rather than nurtured growth. These experiences led her to keep leadership at arm’s length—until she encountered a shift in perspective.
Through a pivotal experience of personal hardship, Jenny realized that leadership could be different. She discovered that when leadership is rooted in kindness and trust, it empowers people rather than controls them. She also saw that avoiding leadership out of fear was, in a way, making herself smaller than the person God created her to be. When she reframed leadership as a form of service rather than authority, she was able to step into her role fully, embracing the responsibility as a kingdom leader.
Her transformation was deeply tied to her relationship with God. She saw firsthand how He reframes challenges into opportunities, using difficult situations to strengthen character and refine purpose. That realization changed everything.
Building a Culture of Trust and Innovation
One of the defining characteristics of Jenny’s leadership is her commitment to trust and innovation. At Brilliant Perspectives, she has helped shape a culture where employees are empowered to take ownership of their work. Rather than simply being employees, team members are encouraged to think and act like owners—bringing their full creativity and passion to the table.
This kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It is carefully cultivated through intentional leadership practices, such as:
- A Rigorous Hiring Process: Ensuring that new team members align not just with the company’s skill needs but with its culture and values.
- Ongoing Leadership Development: Weekly leadership training ensures that every team member, regardless of role, is constantly growing in their leadership capacity.
- Deep Work Sessions: Employees are given four uninterrupted hours each week to focus on high-impact work that moves the business forward.
- Innovation Mindset: The team embraces an iterative approach to projects, making small, meaningful improvements over time rather than waiting for perfection.
The results speak for themselves. Over the past few years, the team at Brilliant Perspectives has completed nearly 80 projects—every single one of them delivered on time. This kind of consistency is not just about strong systems; it’s about cultivating a team that is deeply invested in the mission and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Leading with Kindness and Boundaries
A key theme in Jenny’s leadership philosophy is the balance between kindness and boundaries. Many people mistake kindness for passivity, but in reality, true kindness includes accountability. It means calling people up to a higher standard, providing clarity, and holding them responsible for their contributions.
In practice, this means:
- Creating a culture where people feel safe to contribute ideas and voice concerns.
- Giving clear, honest feedback that helps team members grow.
- Ensuring that employees have both autonomy and accountability—so they are empowered but also held to high standards.
By maintaining this balance, Jenny has been able to build a team where people perform at their best and feel genuinely valued and supported in the process.
The Power of Partnership with God
One of the most striking aspects of Jenny’s leadership journey is how deeply integrated her faith is with her work. She doesn’t see her relationship with God as separate from her leadership role—it is the foundation of everything she does.
A significant moment in her journey was when she felt God telling her, “All you have to do is love Me in the process, and I will take care of the rest.” That revelation changed how she approached leadership. Rather than striving to control outcomes, she learned to trust that God was leading the way.
This approach has shaped how she interacts with her team, how she makes decisions, and how she handles challenges. She sees every obstacle as an opportunity to lean on God’s wisdom, and in doing so, she has built a thriving team culture that reflects kingdom values.
A Call to Kingdom Leadership
Jenny’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership, when done in partnership with God, is not a burden—it’s an opportunity to bring the kingdom into the workplace. When leaders operate from a place of trust, kindness, and wisdom, they create environments where people flourish, where innovation thrives, and where businesses are not just successful but truly impactful.
For those who are stepping into leadership or seeking to transition into a kingdom leadership mindset, Jenny’s advice is simple:
- Delight in the learning process. Leadership is a journey, not a destination.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Instead of being overwhelmed by change, implement small, meaningful shifts.
- Trust that God is with you every step of the way. His goodness is the foundation for everything you build.
If there’s one thing to take away from Jenny’s journey, it’s this: leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about walking with God, growing in wisdom, and creating an environment where others can do the same.
Listen to the full podcast episode here: Kindness, Boundaries and a Culture of Trust
For more insights and leadership strategies from Dionne Van Zyl, visit dionnevanzyl.com.