ReThinking: Breaking leadership barriers with hockey coach Jessica Campbell - Worklife with Adam Grant Recap

Podcast: Worklife with Adam Grant

Published: 2026-03-17

Duration: 37 min

Guests: Jessica Campbell

What Happened

Jessica Campbell, the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history, reflects on her journey in a male-dominated sport. She shares the unique challenges and opportunities of being the only female on boys' hockey teams, emphasizing how these experiences shaped her leadership style. Campbell recounts how being faster than her male counterparts gave her an edge in her youth, but eventually transitioned to women's hockey due to physical differences.

Campbell attributes her coaching success to her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with players. She describes her 'listen, lift, and love' approach, which prioritizes understanding players as individuals and empowering them to reach their potential. By focusing on personal growth and celebrating achievements, Campbell fosters a supportive yet challenging environment.

Adam Grant discusses research on trailblazing and the psychological costs of being a 'first'. He highlights that individuals who identify strongly with their group, like Campbell with women in hockey, are more motivated to break barriers. Campbell admits to feeling the weight of responsibility but uses it as motivation to inspire other women.

The conversation touches on the importance of feedback in coaching. Campbell explains her method of using past successes or admired players to guide improvement, rather than focusing on mistakes. Grant adds that feedback is most effective when it targets behavior rather than personal attributes, reducing defensiveness and fostering growth.

Grant and Campbell discuss gender stereotypes in leadership, debating whether women have to earn trust differently than men. Grant points out conflicting research findings, suggesting women might benefit from slightly deviating from gender norms without straying too far. Campbell shares her own experiences of being perceived differently when showing disappointment.

Finally, Campbell and Grant explore the pressures and opportunities of being a trailblazer. Campbell acknowledges the psychological burden but remains committed to paving the way for others. Grant references research indicating that leaders prone to guilt are often more effective, as they strive to meet their own high standards and avoid letting others down.

Key Insights

• Jessica Campbell's unique coaching style, rooted in trust and understanding, has been pivotal in her success as the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history. Her 'listen, lift, and love' approach emphasizes personal growth and empowerment.
• Research discussed by Adam Grant suggests that strong identification with a group can motivate individuals to break barriers. Campbell's journey reflects this, as her strong connection to women's representation in hockey drives her trailblazing efforts.
• Feedback in coaching is most effective when it focuses on specific behaviors rather than personal attributes. Campbell uses successful past performances or admired players as benchmarks, aligning with Adam Grant's insights on reducing defensiveness.
• Gender stereotypes in leadership can impact trust-building differently for men and women. Grant highlights conflicting research, noting that slight deviations from gender norms might benefit women, while Campbell shares her experiences of being perceived differently when expressing disappointment.