What happens when a scientist decides to lead from the heart? In this Leadership of the Heart podcast episode, Heather welcomes Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M.
Jayshree’s journey challenges traditional leadership narratives, proving that influence and impact do not require a title or permission. Her path from technical expert to global science ambassador is an authenticity, resilience, and service masterclass.
Jayshree reflects on how a role that had never existed before was created around her unique blend of expertise and advocacy. She shares how being a scientist doesn’t just mean working in a lab, but also communicating ideas, connecting across disciplines, and leading by example. Her role at 3M evolved because she consistently showed up with heart and rigor, which she believes anyone can do from their own rung of the ladder.
The conversation also introduces her concept of “leakproof leadership,” a philosophy built on twelve practical qualities drawn from decades of experience. It’s not just theory. These are grounded insights shaped in the trenches of product development and innovation. Jayshree discusses the value of vision, strategy, active listening, learning, and purpose-driven work, all of which are critical to leading in any environment.
She also reframes the meaning of STEM. For her, it is not just science, technology, engineering, and math. It is skills, talent, expertise, and mindset. It is about showing up fully, learning continuously, and finding meaning in the work you do.
What does it mean to lead without a title? And how can you turn your experience into something that inspires others to act? Listen in and share your thoughts. What rung of the ladder are you standing on, and how are you leading from there?
About Jayshree
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations, with several additional pending. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. She is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India, now NIIT Trichy, where she earned a B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering.
Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science, communicate its benefits and the importance of STEM-basedinnovation. She is also a member of Carlton Society which is the 3M Science and Innovation “Hall of Fame.” Jayshree is the fourth woman and first female engineer to be inducted. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award.
She is also the first-ever winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the new Female Thought Leaders of the Year – category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2021. In 2025 she was named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar list featuring 30 people those whose ideas will help shape the future of organizations and leadership.
Jayshree is a TEDx speaker and was also featured in a docuseries titled Not the Science Type that premiered during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and accepted for Brand Storytelling Showcase, a sanctioned event at Sundance Film Festival. She is the author of the books The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print and The Heart of Science – Engineering Blueprint published by the Society of Women Engineers, and all sales proceeds of the trilogy go to a scholarship for women in STEM.
She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media.
Jayshree has served on the CEOs Inclusion Council, chaired the 3M Asian Employee Resource Group A3CTION and serves on the Steering Committee for 3M Technical Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF). She also serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson University, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) Industry Advisory Council, Advisory Board for Innovation – The Conference Board as Innovation Fellow, and Advisory Group of Aspen Institute Our Future is Science program.
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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP
Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.
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