I never, ever dreamt of being the first in a space where I've always been part of this game.

I've been on fantastic all-girls teams.

I've had men's coaches.

I've had women's coaches.

I was the only girl on an all-boys team.

I've always saw myself belonging in hockey.

But I never really understood what I was doing until I was standing behind an NHL bench in a space and a woman had held

before. And I felt this flood of emotion and pressure and responsibility to do something good

with it.

Hey, everyone. It's Adam Graham. Welcome back to Rethinking, my podcast with Ted on the Science of What Makes Us Tick.

I'm an organizational psychologist, and I'm taking you inside the minds of fascinating people to explore new thoughts and new ways of thinking.

Jessica Campbell is a hockey coach with the Seattle Cracken.

She's the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history to work behind the bench.

And her approach to the game has been a winning combination for the teams and players she's coached.

When you're often in a room or on a team where no one looks like you,

that difference is an edge and its

perspective, its input, its skill, it's different lived experience. It is value added to a team.

Jessica's coaching style has been shaped by her impressive hockey career. She captained the Canadian

under 18 team that won gold at the world championships, and by her

experiences being the first in different environments over the years. We chatted about leadership,

building trust, and yes, being first.

All right, Jess, so let me start by asking you a little bit about your past as a hockey player.

...