Masters of Scale

Rapid Response: Why business must be a force for good, w/former American Express CEO Ken Chenault

Jun 2, 2022

Ken Chenault, former CEO of American Express and chair of General Catalyst, passionately discusses the vital role of businesses in advocating for social responsibility. He emphasizes the need for corporate leaders to engage in societal matters, particularly after George Floyd’s death. Chenault co-founded OneTen to create 1 million jobs for Black Americans, illustrating the intersection of corporate responsibility and social justice. His insights on responsible innovation highlight that prioritizing character and values can lead to long-term success for businesses.

29:01

Episode guests

Ken Chenault

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

Leadership Amidst Crisis and Change

13min

Leading with Inclusivity and Purpose

5min

Innovating Responsibly: Business's Role in Social Impact

5min

Navigating Trust in Cryptocurrency and Entrepreneurship

6min

"Corporations can be a force for good – and they can also be very successful," says Ken Chenault, chair of investment firm General Catalyst and former longtime CEO of American Express. During the past year, Ken has been an outspoken advocate for business leaders to actively engage in societal matters. After George Floyd’s death, he and Merck CEO Ken Frazier launched OneTen, a coalition to create 1 million jobs for Black Americans that now includes major brands from IBM to Nike to Walmart. Chenault has pushed corporate chiefs to use their leverage to protect voting rights, and he's come out with a platform for Responsible Innovation that puts what he calls “social due diligence” alongside financial due diligence. Standing up for what's right, Ken says, fuels long-term success: "The most important thing is the quest for truth, character, and values."

Read a transcript of this interview at: mastersofscale.com

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