Women’s Alumni Affinity Group Lecture Focuses on "What is P.O.SS.I.B.L.E."
Written by Asia Reid
“If you can define your all by defining what’s truly important to you, then you can have it all.”
On October 16th, Jill Marchant (‘90), the Chief Legal Officer for Hallmark, spoke to BYU Law alumni and students about her unique framework for achieving success in both personal and professional spheres. Organized by the BYU Law Alumni Women’s Affinity Group, the event provided Marchant an opportunity to share lessons drawn from her extensive career journey in corporate law, and she candidly addressed challenges she has faced and overcome as a woman in the C-suite.
The framework Marchant shared, which she coined P.O.SS.I.B.L.E., serves as a step-by-step guide to navigating the complexities of career advancement while staying grounded in core personal values. Inspired by the Emily Dickinson line “I dwell in possibility,” Marchant explained that this phrase has long fueled her approach to goal-setting and progress, reminding her to be open to unexpected opportunities and new paths.
Marchant began with Priorities (P), the foundation of her framework. She emphasized the necessity of defining what truly matters in life and structuring career and personal goals around these guiding principles. For Marchant, her priorities start with faith, followed by family, self-care, work, philanthropy, and finally, her country. She acknowledged the difficulty many face in balancing competing obligations but stressed that achieving lasting fulfillment begins with a clear understanding of what matters most: “If you can define your all by defining what’s truly important to you, then you can have it all.”
Following priorities, Marchant outlined the importance of setting Objectives (O) that align with these values. She advised that objectives should be “specific, measurable, relevant, and time-bound,” encouraging attendees to review their goals regularly to ensure they remain on track. This habit has helped her remain focused despite the inevitable demands of a high-level career. “You have to keep your priorities in mind when you set your goals,” she said. “Own your own priorities. Yours are yours, and mine are mine.”
Next, Marchant discussed the value of a reliable Support System (SS). She explained that a strong support network differentiates between various types of support, including role models, mentors, and “shoulders” who can provide emotional relief. Marchant advised attendees not to make sacrifices they are unwilling to bear and urged them to surround themselves with those who truly understand and respect their journey. “Who can I count on to help me see above it all? Who is there to comfort and pick me up when I need it?” Marchant asked, emphasizing that support systems are essential to one’s own resilience.
She also spoke about the need for Individual Accountability (I), underscoring that one’s success is ultimately self-driven. “Own your success,” she said, urging participants to be proactive in setting high standards for themselves and developing perseverance. This, she explained, has been a cornerstone of her own achievements in navigating the corporate world. 
Marchant then moved to the concept of Belief (B) in oneself, emphasizing the power of adopting a “can do” attitude, especially in challenging environments. Her positive outlook has fueled her confidence and ability to overcome obstacles, which she says is crucial for anyone aiming to break new ground in their career. She encouraged her audience to maintain this belief and reminded them, “You can’t achieve what you don’t think is possible.” The importance of Listening (L) was also central to her framework. Marchant argued that feedback, even when uncomfortable, is valuable for growth and self-awareness. “All feedback is good,” she said, noting that it provides information that, when received with an open mind, can lead to significant improvement.
Finally, Marchant urged participants to Evaluate (E) their progress continuously, taking time to celebrate wins, recognize setbacks, and identify areas of growth. She shared questions that helped guide her evaluations, such as: “What went well? What didn’t? Who should I thank?” She added that reflection not only fosters gratitude but also provides insight into evolving priorities and whether it may be time to reset certain goals. “You might have to go faster, slower, or harder than you want to,” she admitted, “but the most important thing to ask is, ‘Was it worth it?’ And if it was, then all that effort was worth it.”
Marchant ended her presentation by repeating a powerful metaphor that she’d opened with. Rather than viewing careers as “ladders” to be climbed step-by-step, Marchant shared Sheryl Sandberg’s metaphor of a “jungle gym,” a concept she first encountered in Sandberg’s Lean In. “The ladder metaphor is outdated,” she explained. “The jungle gym allows for movement in all directions and encourages creative exploration, especially for women navigating various career paths and life choices.”
The event was both an enlightening and motivational experience for the BYU Law community, with Marchant’s authentic advice leaving a lasting impact. Her closing words, “We have to stop creating a box that we can’t break out of if we want to accomplish our personal and professional goals,” echoed her entire message of ambition tempered by grounded priorities. The event reinforced the supportive environment BYU Law aims to foster, with alumni like Marchant representing the university’s values and commitment to excellence and authenticity.