At Encore Search Partners, CEO Jeremy Jenson views Leadership as a responsibility to his people, to his community, and to the future he is shaping.
“To me, building something bigger than yourself means motivating and inspiring others, not just the bottom line,” says Jenson. “It’s about building a company where your people thrive, where clients win, and where your team achieves their income goals while evolving into a better version of themselves, inside and outside of the office. It’s about the way the community sees you, not just how you tell them they need to see you.”
Over the years, his definition of success for Encore Search Partners has shifted. Once measured by top-line revenue or net income, today he believes that “It’s tied to being the absolute best in our industry. The way we speak, the way we sell, the way we market, the way we close deals. We want to be the gold standard.”
For Jenson, leadership begins with belief, not in metrics, but in people and purpose. “I had to believe in myself, a non-degreed kid from a low-income community who wasn’t qualified to be CEO would actually command credibility in a world where professionals are graded on their education and tenure.”
That same belief influences how he hires and manages talent. Jenson believes that great leaders delegate and elevate. He focuses on hiring competent people, giving them best-in-class systems, and stepping aside so they can thrive. “At Encore, I’ve always believed that it is my responsibility to invest in my team’s growth personally, professionally, and financially. Culture isn’t a perk. It’s our competitive advantage.”
Encore Search Partners didn’t begin as a movement. It became one over time by staying focused on doing hard things well and then improving with intention. “My advice to anyone trying to build something meaningful: Get really good at one thing, then scale it. Don’t try to be everything to everyone, niche out, and let the results speak for themselves.”
This mindset also guides how Jenson evaluates people. Whether he is making hiring decisions or long-term investments, he often prioritizes instinct over resumes. “I believe that if I hire someone who respects and admires me, I can teach them the skills and knowledge to be successful, but I cannot teach them humility, gratitude, and coachability.”
Clarity comes easily to Jenson when his decisions align with Encore’s mission, vision, and values. He applies that same clarity to his personal life. “If my kids do not respect and admire me, then I have failed in life. I must live a life they can be proud of.”
That sense of alignment also informs how Jenson views friendship and influence. When asked about whether he misses old friends who may have been successful in business but lacked personal integrity, he responds without hesitation. “Not at all. I’ve always been drawn to become friends with men whom I respect and admire. But once I lose respect for them, it becomes very easy to distance myself.”
As the seasons of his life change, Jenson continues to reflect on what matters most. In previous years, he used a single word to define each chapter: Repair, Investment, Growth, and Connection. His word for 2025 is Adventure. “I have a new fiancée, and I want to accomplish so many things in life, as they relate to travel and experiences, before I have more kids. She is young, fun, fit and active, and I want to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Through it all, four things have remained constant:
Exceed Expectations
Learn From Mistakes
Have a Winning Attitude
These values have grounded him through each season and now serve as the foundation for what comes next. For Jenson, this journey is about building a life with purpose, one that inspires others to pursue growth and make an impact.
