The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics

471. Lead Bigger

Feb 13, 2025

In this conversation, Ann Chow, the former CEO of AT&T Business and a trailblazer for inclusive leadership, shares her insights on what it means to 'lead bigger.' She discusses the need for empathy and understanding diverse identities in effective leadership. Ann emphasizes the shift in work culture post-pandemic, highlighting the importance of human connection and flexible leadership that integrates personal and professional lives. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on fostering belonging and inclusion while adapting to evolving workforce expectations.

53:21

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Anne Chow

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Quick takeaways

Leading bigger requires embracing inclusive leadership to enhance organizational performance and foster diverse perspectives in decision-making.

The pandemic has transformed our understanding of work from a mere location to an integral part of life, highlighting the importance of human connection in leadership.

Deep dives

The Importance of Leading Bigger

Leading bigger involves expanding one's perspective to enhance performance and impact. This concept is closely aligned with inclusive leadership, which emphasizes the need to consider diverse viewpoints and experiences in decision-making processes. By engaging with a variety of people and data sources, leaders can gain insights that drive innovation and business success. The failure to embrace inclusive leadership can result in missed opportunities and a less competitive workforce.

Intro

4min

Redefining Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World

22min

Connecting Corporate Branding with Business Needs

5min

Fostering Inclusion Through Purpose and Empathy

13min

Leading with Flexibility: Integrating Life and Work

4min

The Power of Flexible Leadership

4min

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer is joined by Ann Chow, the former CEO of AT&T Business, for an insightful discussion on what it means to "lead bigger" and how to incorporate inclusive leadership in today's evolving work environment. Ann, who made history as AT&T's first woman of color to hold the CEO position, shares her experiences and the lessons she learned throughout her 30-year career in telecommunications and technology.

Ann delves into the importance of understanding the different aspects of one's identity and how they contribute to effective leadership. She emphasizes the need to go beyond the traditional understanding of work as merely a place to go, advocating instead for a more integrated approach that acknowledges work as an essential part of life. Ann also discusses the impact of the pandemic on how we view work and the crucial role of human connection in leadership.

In this episode:

Discover the concept of "leading bigger" and its significance in achieving greater performance and impact.
Learn about the psychological and societal factors that lead us to "lead small" and how to overcome them.
Understand the difference between inclusion and belonging and how they apply to both workforce and work.
Explore the importance of aligning purpose, values, and performance in creating a culture of belonging.
Gain insights into the evolving expectations of leadership in the post-pandemic world.

Visit this episode’s page for important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript.

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