Leading Globally Without Losing Yourself with Jen McLennan

In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Jen McLennan, Group Managing Director of Fifth Ring, a global B2B marketing communications agency with offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore.

Jen shares her journey from journalism into agency life, and how she worked her way up through the business to become Group Managing Director. We talk about leadership, business growth, international culture, learning on the job, and the reality of juggling senior leadership with family life.

This is a really honest conversation about what it takes to step into bigger leadership roles, how to understand your own strengths and gaps, and why asking for help is not weakness, it is wisdom.

Jen also talks about the importance of data in marketing, the value of coaching, and why businesses need to think carefully about who they are trying to reach before jumping into activity for activity’s sake.

It is a thoughtful and practical episode for women in leadership, business owners, and anyone navigating growth, responsibility and ambition.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Fifth Ring does and the sectors it serves
• Why culture matters in global marketing and communications
• Jen’s career path from journalist to Group Managing Director
• What she has learned about herself through leadership
• The reality of stepping into a senior role after maternity leave
• Why self-awareness matters more as you progress
• The importance of support at home and at work
• How coaching has helped Jen reframe challenges and grow
• Why businesses need both data and clear messaging
• Advice for women considering senior leadership roles

Memorable moments from this episode:

• Why knowing yourself becomes more important the more senior you become
• The difference between activity and real business impact
• Jen’s reflections on the juggle of leadership and motherhood
• Her advice not to let fear make the decision for you
• “If you want to go far, go together”