Felicity Jacob

I figure if I'm going to get out of bed everyday, I want to do it with purpose and living a fulfilling and meaningful life where my work is an extension, an active part, of my whole self.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityjacob/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/urban_ideas_

What was the most valuable thing you got out of CSL?

I discovered the joy and importance of finding my authentic voice and living my values everyday in the present to have any chance of creating impact in the future.

Why are you passionate about sustainability? 

I have been passionate about sustainability consciously for over 5 years now. However, I can't pinpoint the time exactly when this began, as I know that it has been deeply rooted in my upbringing. I grew up spending much time in nature, hiking, camping and in strong communities, with family and friends.

It was very much at university that I started diving into any subjects that looked at sustainability across all fronts - social, environmental, political, economic. My mind shifted into thinking more holistically, and the rest is history.

It has been, and I know will continue to be, an ongoing sustainability journey for me. I am challenged daily to re-think my perspectives, my ontology of what sustainability means, and have a keen desire to learn from other cultures about the meaning for them. In terms of become a change maker - I figure if I'm going to get out of bed everyday, I want to do it with purpose and living a fulfilling and meaningful life where my work is an extension, an active part, of my whole self. The fun of this quest is going down new paths, gaining new insights, and being constantly surprised and inspired by others around me doing such cool things.

How did CSL play a role in directing your current path or project?

I have thought much about the program, and feel that the impact it has had on me has crept up subtly, but extremely profoundly. It has fundamentally shifted the way I am searching to live my life, how I wish to work, who I wish to work with, what I wish to contribute to.

We only have one life, but we also have each and everyday to shift our mindsets and start to action the way we want to see a better world. Talking about it all the time with no action attached is futile, and I have been challenged to step out of the talk and theory and into the practice.

The idea of rapid prototyping, trying, failing, pivoting and going on tangents is a fresh mindset to our so often structured and rigid business methodologies This realisation has been extremely pivotal - my eyes are more open to the wonder of the world, the everyday opportunities to learn and grow and to engage with other like-minded legends doing great things. The opportunities to be a part of small projects, small shifts. I believe that often modern society places us in silos, into structures, and stifles our dreams and creativity if they do not fit the mould.

While I am uncertain of what my career path or passion project will evolve into (I'm sure there will be many to come!), I am grounded in the knowledge that all humans are living to such a limited extent of their capacity. I feel empowered to live to a greater capacity of my authentic self. And I see everyday as another opportunity to find that, to delve deeper into my creative side and try doing things differently.

Why is leadership for sustainability so important?

Sustainability is, in essence, the smarter option to have more safe, inclusive and flourishing lives on all levels. Leadership towards this is crucial to shift the conversation in a time when profit is valued over purpose, and materialistic values trump community benevolence.

What do you plan to do next on your sustainability journey?

Who knows! But I sure am excited and invigorated to get up everyday and give new things a crack, meet new people, engage with new ideas, and piece together more pieces of this confounding sustainability puzzle so that our ecosystem can repair and flourish. I am in listening and doing mode. Shifting from just talking the talk as I absolutely love to do, to walking the walk. CSL has taught me that action is most powerful when undertaken with a community around you, and my next 12 months will be about harnessing these networks of minds to work together.

What are three words you would use to describe the Fellowship Program?

Community, growth, empowerment.

Project worked on during program:

Reconnecting Wisdom