Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais The Human Side of Human Resources: Creating Authentic Connection with Rhonda Morris
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Apr 14, 2025 Rhonda Morris, the former VP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Chevron, shares her remarkable journey as the first African American female corporate officer in the company's history. She discusses the importance of authentic leadership and the challenges she faced in a competitive environment. The conversation covers the role of HR in fostering connections, enhancing employee satisfaction, and navigating the complexities of team dynamics. Rhonda emphasizes resilience, vulnerability, and the need for psychological understanding in modern leadership, especially in a post-pandemic world.
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Childhood Competitiveness
- Rhonda Morris's childhood in Oakland involved playing sports with boys, which fueled her competitiveness.
- This drive to be picked first and contribute to winning translates to her professional life.
Academics Over Athletics
- Morris prioritized academics over athletics at a young age, a decision she sometimes reflects on.
- She made this trade-off to maximize her study time, potentially impacting her athletic trajectory.
Subtraction-First Leadership
- As a CHRO, focus on removing obstacles hindering peak performance, rather than adding new initiatives.
- This subtraction-first approach allows employees to focus on their best work.