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Ginni Rometty

IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
EPISODE 66

You Only Grow When You're Uncomfortable

Today’s guest is Ginni Rometty, the Former Chairman, President and CEO of IBM and current Co-Chairman of the OneTen Initiative. Rising through the ranks from systems engineer to CEO, Ginni has learned to be comfortable with situations outside her comfort zone, because that’s where she grew the most in her journey as a leader. While leading IBM, Ginni learned what was essential about IBM that must endure before making changes that set the company up for future growth in new industries. And so what you're about to hear from Ginni, and what you'll learn from her journey to become CEO of IBM, is that great leaders are comfortable being uncomfortable. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

  • How to mentally process a promotion to the top job - especially as a woman
  • How Ginni’s mother modelled the courage and leadership Ginni needed to succeed
  • Why propensity to learn is more important than a college degree in a job candidate
  • Why women don’t put themselves forward for new assignments and how to help them go the distance
  • Why preparing for the next job might actually a bad idea
  • How to make the leap from being an individual contributor to a leader who coordinates other people effectively
  • How to focus on the long-term with conviction and a thick skin
  • Why Ginni’s favorite IBM achievement is employee engagement
  • How the hybrid cloud works and the future of artificial intelligence at IBM and around the world
  • How the OneTen Initiative intends to tap hidden pools of talent by changing priorities in hiring
  • PLUS, Ginni’s single biggest piece of advice for reinventing yourself and your company  

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More from Ginni Rometty

You only grow when you're uncomfortable
Growth and comfort never coexist. So if you want to be the best leader you can be, that will often look like stretching yourself beyond where you're comfortable.
Don't shy away from your chance to be a role model
Being a leader is a privilege and that platform is one that should be used to help and inspire others.
Growth and comfort never coexist
Growth only happens when we’re uncomfortable. If you’re feeling super confident in a role, you’re probably not learning much anymore.
Understand your company’s core strength before you make big changes
Transforming a company means making drastic changes. But before you do, discover what core values need to endure. It’ll anchor your company through the change.
Hire curious people
Make curiosity one of the key traits you look for when you’re hiring. You’ll attract people who want to grow and learn — and who can excel in lots of different roles.

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Short (but powerful) leadership advice from entrepreneurs and CEOs of top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Target, Starbucks and more.

Clips

  • You only grow when you're uncomfortable
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Don't shy away from your chance to be a role model
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • It's up to you to define who you are
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Hire curious people
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Listen with the intent to learn
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Growth and comfort never coexist
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • People capability is a key part of any big transformation
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Clear communication is a form of respect
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Boost inclusion with a skills-first approach to hiring
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO
  • Understand your company’s core strength before you make big changes
    Ginni Rometty
    Ginni Rometty
    IBM, Former Chairman and CEO

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