Carolyn Jones, Boston Business Journal
Full Name: Carolyn Jones
Current Title & Organization: Market President & Publisher, Boston Business Journal
Career & Leadership
Can you share a defining “a-ha” moment or turning point in your career?
I have worked for our parent company, American City Business Journals, for the bulk of my career, doing various jobs. I think when the CEO of our company called me and asked me to become publisher at our property in Albany, NY – I had three young children (four, five and seven) and thought: Can I do this? For me, who is not a big risk taker, I thought: This is it – I don’t know all of the job but I will take a leap and prove to myself that I can! It was a good decision.
What’s one bold risk you took in your professional life that changed your path?
After 20-plus years in Albany at the Business Journal there, having risen to the role of publisher, I moved to Boston in 2016, taking on the leadership here. It was a difficult time for the Business Journal and needed a lot of turnaround. Moving to a new city at a time of big change in my personal life too was a personal risk as well. I learned a lot of lessons.
What has been one of the most meaningful leadership challenges you’ve faced—and how did it shape your growth?
It was not one single incident but, early on in my time at the Business Journal in Boston, I took on a culture that was pretty toxic and people who did not share the same philosophies. I had to make a lot of difficult and not always popular changes, as well as some personnel changes – it taught me to be honest and direct and set the expectations out clearly. It taught me that you can’t always be “popular” but, if you explain the reason behind things clearly, all will benefit in the end.
Mentorship & Networks
Is there a mentor, sponsor, or champion who played a key role in your journey? What impact did they have on you?
My mother, who died many years ago, was always a role model for the challenges she overcame in life. At work, my first boss in Albany was an incredible man who showed me how to manage work and life and taught me to always treat everyone how you would want to be treated. His calm demeanor and steadfastness in crisis is something I learned and am always trying to be better at.
What does the power of mentorship mean to you, and how do you pay it forward?
Mentors take many forms in many parts of life – they can be powerful tools for your own personal development, can help in your organization and can give you perspective and support. My mentors – who are many – really helped my path and I try to pay that forward by always helping folks up that ladder – male and female – by giving opportunity and advice; being involved in groups that mentor up and down and always looking to share honest experiences and advice.
How has your network of women (and allies) helped shape your career and leadership? Can you share a moment where the support of your network made a difference?
My network has been indispensable in providing support, encouragement and honest, direct feedback when I really needed it – even when I might not have always liked it. The friends that I relied on when making the major decision to move to Boston for a new job at a time when life was a bit upside-down were critically important for me. They helped with advice on life, finances and work.
What advice would you give to someone looking to build meaningful professional connections or find a mentor?
First, be clear as you look for connections about what your goals for the experience are and be clear when seeking out a mentor that you communicate that. Respect the time you are asking the person to give and always follow through on your end of the agreement. Be open to all ideas and different points of view.
Values & Vision
How do you define success—both personally and professionally?
That can take so many forms but, if I boiled it down, it would be feeling fulfilled by the work that you do and that you made an impact in some way – in your life and community. That you were able to be financially secure and that you know that you always did your best and stayed humble.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your work and leadership?
That I had a positive impact on the organization I worked for and on the people I worked with and that I paved the way for others to grow and lead. That the work that we do at the BBJ and in the community helps other leaders by providing insights, thought-provoking news and programs and created connections for them to lead and grow. That I was fair.
What values or principles guide your decision-making and leadership approach?
Try to listen, think and then react. I am still working on that! Be firm and stick with the decisions that you make. Always be humble – it takes a village. Don’t be afraid to admit when you are wrong, but also be strong in your convictions. Treat people with the respect you want from them. Be confident but grounded. Always give your all.
Advice for the Next Generation
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your 20-year-old self?
Believe that you are great, smart, talented and can do anything you set out to do. Spend your time with people who support you and the things you do and always give your best.
What do you want emerging women leaders to know about navigating their careers in today’s world?
Having it all is a relative term – but you can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t let anyone demean or degrade you and stand up for yourself. Be self-aware and be willing to make changes if they benefit you. Whatever your choices – family, work, other activities – do them in the way that works for you. If you are happy and feel good, those around you will benefit. You don’t have to be perfect – give yourself some grace.
Behind the Leader
What’s something you love doing outside of work that brings you joy or balance?
I have a cottage near the beach in Maine that needs lots of work and just being there brings me real peace and joy where everything else falls away. Love working on it with my fiancé and to know that we did it all ourselves.
What’s a book, podcast, or quote that has recently inspired or grounded you?
Conversations on Love – a book that my daughter gave me – has a lot of life lessons that I go to time and again for grounding and positive thoughts.
What’s one fun or surprising fact people may not know about you?
That is always hard! Maybe that I was a champion swimmer in high school and college. Or that I am really quite shy.