a series featuring candid career advice
from some of the best in the business.
Today's episode is all about
transforming your company culture.
When it comes to culture these days,
many people associate it with perks
office parties, or game rooms,
but it's about so much more than that.
Culture plays a big role in both
our personal and professional development,
and we all play a role in shaping it.
To help me unpack this important topic,
I've invited someone who literally wrote
James White is an author, board member,
and the Former Chairperson, CEO,
and President of Jamba Juice.
Gillette, Nestle, Purina,
and serves on several boards
including The Honest Company and Affirm.
of "Anti-Racist Leadership:
How to Transform Corporate Culture
in a Race-Conscious World,"
with his daughter, Krista.
James, welcome to BossTalks.
- So let's dive right on in.
of culture as a nice to have,
but tell us why culture is so important
and how it affects everything
from our wellbeing and development
to overall business success.
- As I think about company culture,
and as we talk about it in the book,
the culture is the summation of really
every element of the company
that touches human beings.
All the core processes in the company,
the values that the company has,
and then really all the rituals.
So one of the things that
we talk about in the book
is we talk about companies building
great cultures by design.
We ask 'em to take a hard look
at really every process in the company
that touches human beings
from hiring to how we onboard people
assignments and promotions
And the perspective is that
we look at all those processes
and make sure that we're creating
access and opportunity for all
and there are no elements in the processes
that are biased against folks
than others inside a culture.
to ensure that none of those are excluding
any folks inside the company.
And one of the things we really believe
You can't delegate this work to others.
And maybe one other point
I'd make for the audience,
management of any organization,
that's where culture really
If you think about who we all work for
and a sign of respective organizations,
companies can do is make sure
that there is appropriate training,
there are appropriate incentives and tools
management group to live out
the values of the company
- So in your book, you also lay out
a literal framework for building out
equitable company culture.
you consider them to be the
building blocks of this work?
the current state of the culture,
as a critical first step.
I think there is a series of learnings
do, whether it's in the form
of town halls or round tables,
where you're really in a mode
where you're listening to the organization
and making sure all voices
are included in the process.
One of the points we make is that
the work can't be delegated by the CEO.
She's gotta be involved in the work.
And in business, anything
that matters, you measure it.
we all have to start where we are,
it's typically a multi-year journey,
and we need to just take action.
- Let's talk about risk-taking
in order to make progress,
as long as you're learning from them.
as long as they're learning, progressing,
not making them over and over again?
- I think from a leadership perspective,
And I think the more the leadership models
it becomes normative to the culture,
cultures that really flourish.
The other point I'd make is
cultures I've seen find ways
to have everybody's voice
heard in the corporation,
and I think the best cultures find ways
to really pull everyone in and to engage.
the most diverse cultures
most innovative solutions
- As you know, we're living
about the pandemic, racial reckoning.
So how can having a strong company culture
help future-proof our businesses?
- The very best companies
actually lean on culture,
to actually accelerate and
and this is a place where
leaders have the potential
to separate themselves in my view.
- I think that's such a great point.
James, I know you also strongly believe,
something we have in common,
is doing well by doing good.
So what advice do you have
to new founders, maybe new
leaders, or leaders in general
sentiment into their culture
from day one, and why is it so important?
it gives founders and leaders a true north
Leaders often kind of lose themselves.
times, people and companies
- So James, there are not many CEOs
or board members who look like you,
and I'm so grateful to these companies
that have you at their table.
or being on a board one day?
for people of color to found companies.
There's becoming more access to funds,
if you're a founder, potential founder.
I think there is an increasing recognition
generations in the workforce
are gonna be significantly more diverse.
to envision ourselves running
large and small companies,
for your own future and you're
in a constant learning mode
And then, that puts you in
control of your own career
the most important skills
have been selling skills.
we're all selling at some point
and people leadership skills.
- Those are good tips for anyone.
(laughs) Thank you for those.
All right, James, it is time for my final
and that is what is your superpower?
- My superpower is really
being passionate about people
full potential in people.
first member of my family
to graduate from college,
not the likeliest person to be
director in a public company.
So for me, that tells me that there's
a lot of potential for us all to
really have just fantastic careers,
and unlocking that in others is what
I'm super passionate about.
- And it comes across loud and clear.
Thank you so much, James.
I love what you shared with
and how we can all play an active role
in shaping it for the better.
guidance and tips you gave us,
appreciate watching this.
- Thank you. I'm grateful
I hope you all enjoyed today’s
conversation on Salesforce+
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