Welcome to The Inspirational Leaders Series, a collection of short interviews with sharp, impactful leaders I know and respect—because the business world needs more refreshing people like them.
👋🏼 Meet Sue Cooper, co-founder of the business strategy firm Cooper, a pioneer in the UX industry—and, a place I had the pleasure of working for many years. Sue was both the heart of the culture and the brains behind the business. She could make the tough choices that being a business owner requires while also making the agency feel like a loving family. My kids have ridden (with glee) on her husband Alan Cooper’s fire engine at their farm, and I am still friends with them both today. And so, it is with immense pleasure that I share with you a few tidbits of what Sue Cooper has learned about leadership.
WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
There are three top leadership qualities I try to model. Authenticity, trust, and respect. I make the best decisions when I can be my authentic self, not some imaginary perfect leader. I immediately trust someone more if I see them listening respectfully, not defensively. When I see a leader acting naturally, listening respectfully, and responding with a trusting attitude, their credibility soars.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
It is OK to say "I don't know".
I would also tell myself to eliminate imposter syndrome from my thinking. It has never helped me or anyone around me.
WHAT’S A LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE YOU LEARNED A LOT FROM?
My biggest leadership challenge came along during two worldwide financial downturns. The first was the 2000 dot-com bubble, the second was the 2008 worldwide recession. In both cases, it was key to determine whether I wanted to keep our business going and if so, whom I would choose to keep it going with. Making a clear choice about whom I wanted to work with and then building a balanced team of leaders was key to successfully recovering from these financial challenges.
WHAT’S A LEADERSHIP TIP OR TRICK THAT HAS SERVED YOU WELL?
Ask your team what they would like to see happen. When we discuss the outcomes we would like, magic happens.
WHAT’S A SLOGAN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP APPROACH?
Collaborate and delegate.
