Olympic Learning Meets Leadership: Insights on Grit and Good Power
Feb 11, 2025
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Ginni Rometty, former chairman, president, and CEO of IBM, shares her inspiring journey shaped by resilient women in her family. She discusses the Olympic learner mindset, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptability for growth. Ginni explores authentic leadership, highlighting the power of vulnerability and genuine relationships. She advocates for skills over degrees in hiring practices, promoting inclusivity. Lastly, she addresses tech's limitations in business, urging leaders to prioritize sound judgment over mere tools.
Resilience is vital for leadership, driving the focus on future solutions rather than being bogged down by past difficulties.
A person's upbringing significantly shapes their values and potential, illustrating how hardships can foster resilience and determination.
Continuous learning and adaptability are essential for success, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and building meaningful connections in a rapidly changing workforce.
Deep dives
The Power of Resilience
Resilience is emphasized as a crucial quality for overcoming challenges, with an ideal mindset of focusing 90% on the future and solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This perspective encourages individuals to channel their energy productively instead of reliving setbacks. The speaker reflects on personal experiences, highlighting how uplifting resilience can positively influence not only individual attitudes but also impact those around them. This optimistic approach fosters a more constructive and hopeful outlook on life's difficulties.
Lessons from Upbringing
The speaker recounts her upbringing, influenced by strong women in her family who faced significant hardships, which taught her resilience and determination. Her grandmother and mother overcame personal tragedies, instilling values of hard work and the belief that the past does not define one’s future. The experiences of these women shaped her understanding that circumstances do not dictate self-worth or potential. This early life perspective ultimately laid the foundation for her future successes and leadership style.
The Importance of Perspective
Gaining perspective can help individuals understand that many challenges are not as severe as they may seem, particularly in comparison to previous hardships. This viewpoint encourages people to recognize the importance of focusing on potential solutions rather than fixating on obstacles. The speaker advocates for taking personal responsibility and agency in one's life, emphasizing that individuals can shape their respective outcomes. This reflects the notion that reframing one’s thinking can lead to newfound opportunities and growth.
Continuous Learning as a Core Value
The emphasis on continuous learning is presented as vital for personal and professional development, highlighting the concept of being an 'Olympic learner.' This approach encourages individuals to cultivate curiosity, ask questions, and actively listen to others in order to build meaningful relationships. The speaker illustrates that effective networking stems from genuine interest in others and that these connections can ultimately support one’s career. Additionally, understanding that adaptability and learning new skills are critical in a rapidly changing workforce allows individuals to thrive.
Embracing Good Power in Leadership
The concept of 'good power' is outlined as a leadership philosophy that prioritizes respect, conflict resolution, and celebrating progress over perfection. The speaker underscores that creating a positive organizational culture requires leaders to navigate change effectively while valuing diverse perspectives. Vulnerability is highlighted as a key trait that fosters followership and authentic connections among team members. This approach encourages leaders to recognize the impact of their actions and to actively strive for inclusivity and opportunity for all.
Ginni Rometty comes from a long line of hardworking women. First there was her great grandmother, who came from Belarus and cleaned bathrooms in the Wrigley building in Chicago. Next, it was her grandmother, a young widow twice over. Finally, there was her mother, who brought herself and her kids up through education and hard work after her husband abandoned them. Watching these women do what it takes to succeed instilled in Ginni a deep drive to be the best she can be and more.
That’s why Ginni is the former chairman, president, and CEO of IBM. That’s why Ginni was named by Fortune magazine as the number one most powerful woman in the world for three years in a row. And that’s why Ginni’s new book, Good Power, is here to transform your life too. She says, “Hard work is a way to get ahead . . . It doesn't matter how bad it is, there's always a way forward.” Hear more about how Ginni moved her way to the top when you listen to this episode of the Take Command podcast.
What You Will Learn:
Insights into why your early life informs so much of what you become
Lessons in how to be more passionate (Hint: do things you like)
Stories about why you have more agency than you think you do
The hard truth that no one is beneath homework, not even CEOs
Join us for this deep dive into what it means to lead an intentional life, using our powers for good along the way. Ginni isn’t a pie-in-the-sky thinker. She believes in the power of hard work and the value in gaining perspective from our relationship with others. Ginni doesn’t always have the right answer, but she sure has a lot to offer in this episode. Tune in today to learn from one of the best.
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