Most leaders try to eliminate awkward moments. Dr. Jill Korach leans into them.
“A little-known fact about me is I sort of love uncomfortable moments,” Jill admits in this episode. “I think they are where we learn.”
Whether she is figuring out how to eat with her hands in India or navigating a cultural ceremony where the norms are completely foreign, Jill believes that stepping into the unknown isn’t a sign of poor planning—it’s a prerequisite for growth. As the Assistant Director of Field Programs for Project Dragonfly, she has led over 40 global expeditions, proving that the most effective leadership doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from being willing to learn side-by-side with your students.
In this episode of Dragonfly Conversations, we discuss the art of “shared awkwardness,” the “Triadic Framework” for conservation, and how to pursue a PhD while raising a family.
3 Key Takeaways
- The Power of “Shared Awkwardness”: Jill argues that vulnerability is a teacher’s greatest asset. Whether it is struggling to sit cross-legged during meditation with a monk in Thailand or figuring out how to eat with your hands in India, these moments of cultural discomfort level the playing field. When an instructor admits, “I am uncomfortable too,” it dissolves the hierarchy between teacher and student. It transforms a trip into a shared human experience, creating a safe space for students to take their own risks.
- The Triadic Framework: During her doctoral research, Jill co-developed a concept called the Triadic Framework. In conservation, we often focus strictly on the biological or the utilitarian value of a place. The Triadic Framework asks us to look deeper by connecting three distinct points:
- Species: The biodiversity of a place.
- Communities: The people living within that system.
- Deities (Belief Systems): The spiritual or deep-seated ethos that drives human behavior in that location.
By understanding how a person’s self-concept overlaps with these three areas, we can better understand what drives them to take conservation action.
- Integrating—Not Compartmentalizing—Life Jill completed her PhD while working full-time and raising two children. Her advice? Don’t hide your “other” lives. She jokes about her daughter being her “buddy” on long flights before she was born. By framing travel not as “leaving the family” but as “gathering stories to bring home,” Jill integrates her passion for the field into her role as a parent. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t have to pause your life to be a student; you just need a supportive “village.”
Hidden Gem: From Army Boots to Hiking Boots
You might know Jill as a conservation leader, but you probably didn’t know she started her leadership journey in Army ROTC.
In the episode, she reveals how she originally attended the presentation to get out of high school classes, but applied for and accepted her placement because she was interested in the military’s approach to teamwork. It was there she learned that “teams can make anything possible”—a philosophy she now uses to manage logistics for 16 global partnerships. It is a fascinating look at how logistical grit and conservation biology overlap.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Check out the full list of podcasts on our Dragonfly Conversations page.