Dr. Hemma Lomax, an ethics and compliance expert and former VP at Zendesk, discusses the transformative power of storytelling in corporate settings. She highlights the significance of curiosity in understanding human behavior, emphasizing its role in compliance and leadership. Hemma also explores her new podcast 'Unless', aimed at inspiring action through narratives. The conversation touches on personal transformation, the hero's journey, and the importance of fostering independent thinking in education and corporate environments.
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Career Journey
Dr. Hemma Lomax's career includes being a barrister, parliamentary council, and working for Disney, Snapchat, and Zendesk.
She transitioned from the UK to the US, driven by a desire to understand corporate law and influence.
insights INSIGHT
Curiosity as a Driving Force
Curiosity is a driving force for understanding human behavior and finding solutions.
Dr. Lomax's curiosity stems from a desire to understand and address societal problems.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Learning from Others
Learn from people who operationalize good intentions at scale.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and push boundaries to discover what's possible.
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In 'Never Finished,' David Goggins takes readers inside his 'Mental Lab,' where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to push past his perceived limits. The book is a raw, revealing, and unflinching memoir that provides stories and lessons to help readers climb from adversity to achieve previously unattainable goals. Goggins emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-doubt, and continuous self-improvement, drawing from his experiences as a Navy SEAL and endurance athlete. The book is not just a self-help guide but a wake-up call to challenge oneself and strive for greatness[2][4][5].
The Lorax
Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
The Lorax is a story about the Once-ler, a businessman who arrives in a flourishing forest of Truffula trees and begins to chop them down to build a garment called a Thneed. Despite the protests of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, the Once-ler continues his destructive activities, leading to the devastation of the environment and the displacement of the wildlife. The story highlights the consequences of unchecked industrialization and the importance of environmental conservation. The book concludes with a message of hope, as the Once-ler passes on the last Truffula tree seed to a young boy, encouraging him to restore the forest and bring back the Lorax and his friends.
What is the edge of possibility and how can storytelling help us to find it? My guest isn't a storyteller — she's a lawyer, working in compliance — but she's got some fascinating insights to share about how it can help us to effect change. Or, in her words, to find the edge of our possibility.
I've been wanting to get Dr Hemma Lomax on the show for some time, and I'm delighted that in this episode, I've managed to make that happen.
Summary In a wide-ranging discussion, Hemma shares her unique journey from the UK courtroom to the forefront of corporate compliance in our latest episode.
Her career has been marked by a commitment to understanding human behavior and using storytelling as a tool for transformation. We delve into her insights on curiosity as a driving force in compliance, the importance of breaking into influential spaces, and how her new podcast, "Unless," seeks to inspire action through stories of operationalizing good intentions.
Our discussion spans the intricate dynamics of rule enforcement and the empowering role of embracing curiosity.
Hemma gives her perspective on the hero's journey, not just in personal development but also within the professional landscape and parenting. We explore the transition from being a hero to becoming a guide, both as a parent and leader, highlighting the importance of fostering environments where others can thrive independently.
Finally, we reflect on the legacy one leaves and the pursuit of growth and learning. From encouraging independent thought in compliance to inspiring connections over traditional teachings, Hemma provides a compelling narrative on how wisdom and critical thinking can reshape structures. Join us as we challenge conventional boundaries, celebrate the limitless journey of human potential, and examine the art of building a podcast audience through meaningful connections and continuous self-improvement.
Guest Biography Dr Hemma R. Lomax is a passionate ethics and compliance professional focused on effective risk management at scale and coaching for compliance.
She was formerly the VP of integrity, governance risk and compliance and associate general counsel at Zendesk, where she leads the global ethics and compliance function. Prior to Zendesk, she served as a senior corporate counsel in the integrity and compliance team at Snap Inc. and as a director in the global ethics and compliance management team at the Walt Disney Co.
Hemma also served for just over a decade prosecuting financial fraud and corruption with the SEC. Hemma is also a British-trained barrister and has previously worked as parliamentary counsel for the UK government and as an adviser at the United Nations for the government of Guyana.
Hemma is a strong advocate for integrity at work, active bystandership and DEI, and she has a PhD in human rights and the role of law in war.
AI-Generated Timestamp Summary (00:02) Introduction to Hemma
(06:09) Exploring Boundaries Through Storytelling
(15:39) Empowering Self Through Archetypes
(18:58) Guiding Through Leadership and Parenting
(23:13) Inspiring Connections, Not Teaching
(26:28) Encouraging Independent Thought Through Compliance
(35:48) Challenging Boundaries With Radical Curiosity
(47:30) Living Your Legacy Through Stories
(50:53) Exploring Legacy Milestones Through Storytelling
(55:10) Embracing Human Potential and Self-Improvement
Links Hemma on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemmarlomax/
The Dr Seuss story of the Lorax containing the quote that inspired Unless https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/nonptsource/Documents/TheLorax.pdf Great Women in Compliance podcast 🎧 👉 https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/great-women-in-compliance/
The Human Risk Podcast 
