From Corporate to Confident with Jamie Turner
Jamie Turner on the Grey Matters Podcast
Leadership Lessons for Your Second Act
When Steve Dotto and I sat down with Jamie Turner on the latest Grey Matters Podcast episode (click image above), I knew we were in for something special.
But first - confession time.
I read Jamie’s book How to Make Money with Social Media when it first came out in 2010 (one year before my first book). I thought it was brilliant and I developed quite a fancrush on him. (He may not know that.)
Since that first connection 15 years ago, I have shared conference stages with him many times - but continue to be a fan. (It’s OK, he and my hubby are friends and I adored his late wife Dayna).
Anyway - on to the part you came for…
Jamie's journey from marketing expert to leadership development guru (he’s hate I just called him that) mirrors what so many of our community members experience: that pivotal moment when you realize your career change after 50 isn't just about switching jobs—it's about stepping into who you were always meant to become.
Listen to the full Grey Matters Podcast episode here: https://youtu.be/7RZk8oS2CsU
The Honest Truth About Starting Over
Jamie didn't sugarcoat his story.
"Life has had plenty of ups and downs," he shared. "I went out of business many years ago. I've gone through a divorce, the death of a spouse. Success isn't about IQ. Success is about resilience. If you can push through the down times, you'll get to the other side."
This will probably resonates deeply with every woman I work with who's considering leaving corporate to start a business. The fear of starting over at 50+ is real, but so is the strength we've built through decades of experience. When Jamie talks about resilience being the key to success, he's speaking directly to what makes us powerful as second act entrepreneurs.
Leadership Starts from Within
One of the most profound shifts Jamie made was moving from external marketing strategies to internal leadership development.
"A lot of the work I do now is focused on mindset," he explained. "If you improve your thoughts, that will improve your actions, and when you improve your actions, that can improve your outcomes."
The Unspoken Rules That Change Everything
Jamie's platform, "The Unspoken Rules of Leadership," was born from mentoring a young executive who said, "If you can just tell me the rules, then I'll be able to do better."
Here are three practical techniques Jamie shared that can transform how you show up as a leader:
1. The Left Eye Connection
When speaking with someone, look into their left eye. "You will bond with them more completely," Jamie explained. This creates deeper neural pathways based on how we were held as babies. For women building their personal branding after 50, this simple technique can dramatically improve client connections and networking effectiveness.
2. The Echo Technique
Take the last three words someone says and repeat them back with an upward intonation. Jamie tested this with his neighbor: "I'm going skiing." "You're going skiing?" It worked like magic, creating instant connection. This is invaluable for entrepreneurs building relationships and trust with potential clients.
3. The Energy Exchange
"Our thoughts create emotions, which release neurotransmitters with electromagnetic charges," Jamie shared. "Other people pick up on that energy." This scientific approach to thought leadership branding shows why authentic confidence attracts the right clients and opportunities.
The Power of De-escalation
For those of us in business coaching, Jamie's argument de-escalation technique is gold. When tensions rise, intentionally lower your volume, slow your tempo, and drop your pitch. "They will match your energy, and you'll find them coming down too."
This works whether you're dealing with a difficult client, managing family dynamics while building your business, or navigating the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship after corporate.
Meditation: The Secret Weapon
What struck me most was Jamie's 50-year meditation practice. At 63, he's been meditating since he was 13.
"My world changed so dramatically. My brain settled down. I could focus. I could have a conversation and hold another thought without interrupting myself."
For women experiencing the overwhelm of starting your second act business, I find this practice to be essential.
The benefits extend far beyond focus. Jamie's meditation practice directly contributed to his business strategy for new entrepreneurs: "You start feeling connected to the universe. We're all basically part of the universe."
Journaling: Your Strategic Planning Tool
My own journaling practice mirrors what Jamie describes. I've been doing some version of Julia Cameron's Artist’s Way “morning pages” for over 40 years. As Jamie says,
"There are some days when it's just word vomit, and other days when I get very clear messages that don't even sound like my voice. A lot of the work I do with my clients comes from those downloads."
This is why I created the Countess Code Journal—to help women in their midlife career pivot capture both the daily details and the profound insights that guide their purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
The Affirmation That Changed Everything
Jamie's story about becoming an author through affirmations perfectly illustrates the power of growth mindset for midlife business owners.
"Before that first book came out, I was a mid-level employee who hadn't written anything. I started writing down 15 times a day: 'I'm an author who travels the globe helping others improve their lives.'"
When a friend mentioned knowing someone in publishing, his brain immediately responded: "Oh, tell me about the publishing person." That connection led to his first book.
This isn't woo-woo—it's strategic focus. When you're building a business that makes an impact, your subconscious needs to recognize opportunities aligned with your goals.
Connecting Across Generations
One insight that particularly resonated was Jamie's perspective on working with different generations. As someone teaching both MBAs and working with corporate executives, he emphasized getting inside the other person's mind rather than speaking from your own experience outward.
For those of us in group coaching for women 50+, this applies when working with clients of all ages. Understanding the four mindset quadrants—analytical, imaginative, systematic, and empathetic—helps us communicate more effectively and build stronger client relationships.
The Legacy Business Mindset
What I love about Jamie's evolution is how it mirrors my own journey of coaching for legacy businesses for women. He moved from tactics (marketing strategies) to transformation (leadership development). This shift from "how to make money" to "how to become a better human being" represents exactly what happens when we align our business with our values.
His upcoming book, "Being a Better You: A Guide Book for Transformation," focuses on helping people reach their "aspiration line"—that version of themselves they know exists but need a roadmap to achieve.
Your Unspoken Rules
As Jamie noted,
"We never fully achieve our aspiration line because we're human beings. As Bob Dylan said, an artist is always in a state of becoming. We're always in a state of becoming."
We're not trying to reach some final destination of perfection. We're supporting each other in the continuous journey of becoming who we're meant to be.
Taking the Next Step
If you're a woman 50+ feeling called to create a meaningful business, remember Jamie's core message:
"Success is about resilience. If you can push through the down times, you'll get to the other side."
Your decades of experience, combined with the wisdom that comes from navigating life's challenges, positions you perfectly for this next chapter. The world needs what you have to offer.
Ready to dive deeper into your reinvention journey?
Listen to the complete Grey Matters Podcast episode: https://youtu.be/7RZk8oS2CsU
Join the Women's Reinvention Collaborative where we support each other through the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and community connection needed for your successful second act: https://www.beyondthedreamboard.com/the-wrc
Because as I always say: Women's Words and Wisdom Will Change the World. Your voice matters. Your experience has value. And your second act is waiting.
