May 12, 2022 | 2 min read

Vulnerability in Leadership with Edward Wagoner

By: Patrick Emmons

Vulnerability in Leadership with Edward Wagoner

Edward Wagoner, CIO of JLL, acknowledges what many C-suite executives do not: leaders are human. In his 26 years at JLL, Edward has seen tremendous company growth—investment in data and proptech, the purchase of two AI companies, and a serious effort to recruit the highest-level data scientists—and he’s had to grow as well.

In this episode, Edward talks about innovating the ways that we work together (in digital and physical space) and building environments that suit meaningful collaboration. He shares insight into JLL’s expansion and investments, including their focus on sustainability. Reflecting on his own journey, Edward discusses the essential role vulnerability holds in personal and professional growth and the obstacles he’s overcome to lead with authenticity.

  • (1:25) – Looking ahead at JLL
  • (7:46) – Examining and improving carbon impact
  • (11:19) – Bringing in the best of the best
  • (14:58) – CIO community in Chicago
  • (16:29) – Acceleration from COVID-19
  • (18:16) – Examining the hybrid approach
  • (24:22) – Soliciting feedback
  • (29:48) – Ed’s journey
  • (33:52) – “Do glass-breaking change on yourself”
  • (37:30) – Working with difficult people
  • (39:13) – The power of authenticity

About Our Guest

Edward Wagoner is the Chief Information Officer at JLL, focusing on the intersection of the digital and physical workplace. He has worked in various capacities at JLL over his 26-year career in the company, and he holds a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University. In his personal and professional life, Edward operates under the principles of authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency.

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About Patrick Emmons

If you can’t appreciate a good sports analogy, movie quote, or military reference, you may not want to work with him, but if you value honesty, integrity, and commitment to improvement, Patrick can certainly help take your business or your career to the next level. “Good enough,” is simply not in his vernacular. Pat’s passion is for relentlessly pushing himself and others to achieve full potential. Patrick Emmons is a graduate of St. Norbert College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Patrick co-founded Adage Technologies in 2001 and in 2015, founded DragonSpears as a spin-off dedicated to developing custom applications that improve speed, compliance and scalability of clients’ internal and customer-facing workflow processes. When he is not learning about new technology, running a better business, or becoming a stronger leader, he can be found coaching his kids’ (FIVE of them) baseball and lacrosse teams and praising his ever-so-patient wife for all her support.

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