June Sarpong, the BBC's Global Director of Creative Diversity, discusses disruptive change, quick decision-making in a slow environment, and the impact of an outsider perspective in leadership. She highlights the importance of data-driven decisions, adding diverse voices to key decision-making bodies, recognizing different leadership styles, and embracing diversity to drive organizational change.
Leveraging outsider perspective for disruptive change in organizational decision-making.
Promoting diverse representation in leadership roles to drive meaningful transformation and inclusivity.
Deep dives
The Drive for Diversity at the BBC
Establishing the role of Global Director of Creative Diversity at the BBC, June Sarpong faced the challenge of addressing the lack of diversity in content and personnel. Recognizing the slow pace of traditional approaches like recruitment initiatives and diversity training, a disruptive change was imperative. Leveraging June's external perspective and credibility, the BBC aimed to revamp its decision-making process, ensuring diverse representation in key roles to drive meaningful transformation.
Navigating the Waters of Change
June's journey entailed breaking traditional barriers within the BBC, marked by a complex decision-making structure and longstanding resistance to change. Despite challenges, she fueled progress through data-informed strategies and substantial financial investments in diverse content. Initiatives by June and her team reshaped leadership dynamics, providing opportunities for underrepresented talent to excel and shaping a more inclusive organizational culture.
Learning from Challenges and Mistakes
Reflecting on her role, June acknowledged the unique position she held as an outsider with a distinct perspective on organizational dynamics. Amid successes, she recognized the need for improved understanding of diverse experiences within the workforce. Addressing mistakes, June emphasized the importance of continuous self-assessment and a balanced approach in decision-making to navigate the complexities of organizational change effectively.
Sustaining Momentum and Legacy
Beyond short-term disruptions, the BBC's approach to change management emphasized the cyclical nature of transformation, with periods of intense change followed by integration and recovery. Highlighting the need for sustained momentum, June's tenure showcased the broader societal impact of organizational changes, setting the stage for continued diversity initiatives and inspiring transformation across professional spheres.
Laura and Tony are joined by June Sarpong OBE, the BBC’s first Global Director of Creative Diversity. They explore how to bring about disruptive change in a large, complex and high-profile professional organisation, and how to get things done quickly in an environment when decisions are taken slowly. June explains how she managed to do all this as an outsider with no previous leadership experience, but a great deal of broadcast experience.