Ginni Rometty, the former Chairman and CEO of IBM and author of 'Good Power,' shares her insights on transforming hiring practices. She discusses her journey from adversity to leadership, emphasizing a skills-based approach to talent management over traditional degrees. Rometty underscores the importance of continuous learning and fostering a culture that values problem-solving and soft skills. She argues that this shift not only builds resilient teams but also cultivates inclusive workplaces, driving both business success and societal progress.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Mother's Resilience
Ginny Rometty's mother, facing adversity, pursued education in accounting and computing.
This allowed her to secure better jobs and improve their financial situation, demonstrating the power of skills.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Apprenticing and Soft Skills
Early in her IBM career, Rometty spent a Sunday learning a client's software, emphasizing hands-on learning.
She also focused on improving her communication skills by observing others and actively seeking feedback.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Fostering a Learning Culture
Encourage continuous learning and skill development in your team, emphasizing curiosity and a willingness to learn.
IBM's "Think Academy" fostered a culture of learning with mandatory monthly training sessions.
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Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World
Ginni Rometty
In 'Good Power,' Ginni Rometty shares her personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming the CEO of IBM. The book combines memoir elements with leadership lessons, highlighting Rometty's concept of 'good power' as a way to drive meaningful change. It offers practical advice and behind-the-scenes stories, guiding readers on how to use good power to advance their careers, inspire teams, improve companies, and create healthier societies. Rometty emphasizes five key principles: being in service of others, building belief, knowing what must change and what must endure, stewarding good technology, and being resilient.
The best leaders know that a person’s skillset and their willingness to learn are more important than the degree they have. Ginni Rometty, former Chairman and CEO of IBM, understands this deeply. She spearheaded a company-wide shift to skills-based hiring and development during her tenure.
In this episode, Rometty’shares how her mother’s commitment to education helped her family overcome adversity and inspired her personal approach to talent management. She also discusses why a skills-first mindset is critical to building resilient teams and organizations.
Key episode topics include: upskilling, continuous learning, personal growth, organizational culture, talent development, hiring and recruitment, talent management, leadership
HBR On Leadership curates the best conversations and case studies with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.