Anne Chow, the first woman of color CEO in AT&T’s history, shares game-changing insights from her new book, 'Lead Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion.' She discusses redefining career paths with a 'portfolio life' concept and emphasizes the essential nature of diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership. Chow reflects on her personal experiences as a leader, offering practical strategies for building authentic organizational cultures. The conversation also explores connecting with future generations in the workforce through human-centered leadership.
Anne Chow emphasizes that true inclusion transcends diversity, serving as a crucial leadership competency that enhances workplace culture and performance.
Reflecting on her transition to 'rewirement', Chow encourages leaders to pursue meaningful contributions beyond traditional roles, promoting purposeful engagement in their careers.
Deep dives
Professional Journey and Leadership Insights
The professional journey of the guest highlights the transition from being a successful corporate leader to focusing on inclusive leadership through her new book. Starting her career at AT&T, she ascended to the role of CEO of AT&T Business, overseeing a large global team during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on this experience, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability and leading inclusively. Now serving on various boards and as an educator, she believes in guiding upcoming leaders to embrace their unique experiences and leadership styles.
The Concept of 'Rewirement'
The guest distinguishes between retirement and 'rewirement', emphasizing the need for purposeful engagement after leaving traditional roles. Rather than seeing her departure from AT&T as an end, she views it as the beginning of a new, diverse career path, which includes teaching and board service. This perspective encourages others to consider how they can continue to contribute meaningfully while pursuing passions beyond conventional employment. By promoting a more dynamic view of career transitions, she inspires reflection on how professionals can redefine their roles in society.
The Transformative Power of Inclusion
Her latest book, titled 'Lead Bigger', emphasizes the critical role of inclusion in effective leadership. This goes beyond traditional DEI discussions, framing inclusion as an actionable leadership competency necessary for modern organizations. She underscores that while diversity is a reality of today's workforce, inclusion is about creating an environment where all voices are valued and heard. This approach not only benefits workplace culture but also enhances organizational performance by harnessing varied perspectives.
Future Workforce Dynamics
The podcast delves into the shifting dynamics of the workforce, particularly with the rise of younger generations and their expectations. The guest points out that today's employees seek meaningful work, connection to purpose, and a culture that aligns with their values. They are less inclined to conform to traditional hierarchies and more likely to advocate for inclusivity and fairness within organizations. Leaders must adapt by engaging openly with their teams, fostering an environment of collaborative growth, and appreciating the unique contributions of each individual.
Widen your perspective to have greater performance and impact with game-changing insights from Anne Chow. Anne returns to On Leadership to discuss her new book, Lead Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion. As the first woman of color CEO in AT&T’s history, she is committed to sharing the lessons she’s garnered from leading AT&T Business in her new phase she calls her “rewirement.” Anne puts her own experiences to work to bring a valuable and personal perspective to the topic of inclusion in a conversation that you don’t want to miss.