Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey
Al Torres
Oct. 3, 2024
How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? I’ve learned to honor the struggle and see challenges not as obstacles meant to stop me but as opportunities to grow stronger and wiser. Every setback, every difficulty, carries a lesson that can propel you forward if you choose to learn from it. Clarity about goals, who you are and where you want to go acts as a compass during times of chaos and confusion, helping to steer life back on course. Surrounding myself with people who uplift and inspire has dramatically enhanced my resilience and ability to bounce back from life’s challenges. The commitment to lifelong learning has also been a game-changer for me. Being a perpetual student of life keeps me humble and open to new possibilities. It builds confidence because I know I can adapt and handle whatever comes my way.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I’m thrilled to be launching a new 12-episode podcast series with LaGina Harris, the founder of LaRae Infinity LLC, where we’ll dive into the challenges and resilience of entrepreneurship. In addition, I’m working with a publisher on a book set to be released in 2025!
What gives you the leadership edge? What truly gives me the leadership edge is a deep commitment to personal growth, a focus on service, and a profound empathy for my clients and team. Leadership, at its core, is about constantly adapting and growing. It’s about stepping into challenges and using them as opportunities to gain confidence and develop skills. This mindset of embracing growth and being open to learning has been pivotal. Understanding the core concerns of those I work with is crucial, as it allows me to tailor the support and guidance to their specific needs and situations. It’s about meeting them where they are, recognizing the effort they’ve put in, and understanding the context of their challenges. Creating with them, not just for them, which is a cornerstone of effective leadership. These elements, combined with a consistent practice of self-reflection and a commitment to embodying the values I preach, provide the leadership edge.
“Leadership is about being a role model, not just in success but in resilience, integrity, and compassion.”
From Your Site Articles
Keep Reading
Show less
Go Inside Houston Ballet's 'Golden' Evening that Raised $1.65M!
Dave Rossman and Melissa Taylor
Mar. 4, 2025
Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious
EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.
This year’s event was inspired by Stanton Welch’s adaptation of Raymonda, a story about Raymonda and the sinister plot by the queen’s advisor to tear her love apart. Gold drapes and vibrant florals inspired by the "Peacock Ballroom" in Raymonda set the tone for the cocktail hour, and galagoers perused silent-auction items like a trip to New York Fashion Week, a chance to be a Houston Rockets ball boy (or girl!), and more.
In the Grand Foyer, Richard Flowers and The Events Company created a lavish and luxe scene with layers of lace and velvet, a black-and-white dance floor and striking chandeliers. Everyone savored the dinner courtesy of City Kitchen, and applauded the night's honorees, Deborah and Edward Koehler, who established a scholarship fund in honor of the inimitable principal dancer Lauren Anderson.
Suddenly, though, 21 ballet dancers stormed the dance floor for a surprise performance set to Harry Styles' "Golden," choreographed by Demi Soloist Jack Wolff and featuring former Principal dancer Lauren Anderson. After gold streamers rained from the sky, guests joined the packed dance floor and boogied to the tunes of party band Stratosphere. The night raised more than $1.65M for the Houston Ballet.
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
From Your Site Articles
- Ballet Building Officially Named in Honor of Margaret Alkek Williams at Downtown Fete ›
- At Tented Fete, Houston Ballet Toasts World Premiere Inspired by Tennessee Williams Play ›
- A Sparkling Night: Ballet Ball Returns to Wortham with ‘Jewels’ Theme, Collects $1.4 Million ›
- Recalling Royal Bashes and Crown Princes of Old Europe, Ballet Ball Dazzles, Raises $1.6 Mil ›
- Virtual ‘Home Edition’ Ballet Ball Stars Ballet Dancers Gone Disco! ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Keep Reading
Show less
At Posh Tony’s Fete, Baly’s New Doctorate and Life of Service Honored
Alejandro Olivares
Mar. 5, 2025
Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck
THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”
And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.
Baly’s doctoral research focused on improving retention and graduation rates for African American college students through mentorship, financial resources, and cultural support.
The doc’s accomplishments in and out of the classroom are impressive, many in the crowd noted. Chair of the Harris County Women’s Commission and a UH prof, Baly has helped secure millions in funding for Texas universities and well as nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society and the YMCA.
Spotted in the crowd: Rosemary Schatzman, Terri Wang, Yvonne Cormier, Julie Baker Finck, Alice Mao Brams, Dexter McCoy, Lesley Briones, Justice Kevin Jewell, Susanna Dokupil, Tonya McLaughlin, Donae Contessa Chramosta, Beth Wolff, Bruce Padilla, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett and Frank Billingsly.
Pitsami Norm, Terri Wang and Thanh Svahn
Mary Sage and Beth Wolff
Kevin Jewell
Terri Wang, James Craig and Rosemary Schatzman
Yvonne Cormier
Alex De Aguiar Reuter, Ann Ayre and Daniel Iron
Related Articles Around the Web
Keep Reading
Show less