Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary

Episode: Greg Morley: Can “Bond” Save Us From an $8.9 Trillion Employee Meltdown? – Part One
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Greg Morley, DEI Leader at Moët Tennessee

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in a profound conversation with Greg Morley, a seasoned leader in Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Moët Tennessee—one of the world's oldest and largest wine and spirits conglomerates. Ranked among the Global Top 3% podcasts, this episode delves deep into Greg's journey, strategies, and insights on fostering meaningful connections within organizations to combat what he terms an "$8.9 trillion employee meltdown."

Early Career Experiences Shaping Leadership

Timestamp: [05:19]

Greg Morley begins by recounting his diverse career trajectory, which spans over 17 years in Hong Kong with Moët Hennessy, Hasbro, and Disney before relocating to Paris. His early days in commercial sales, marketing, and distribution provided a robust foundation for his transition into HR and DEI roles. Working in a call center, where 80% of incoming calls were complaints, honed his communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills—traits that have become cornerstones of his leadership style.

Notable Quote:

“I continue to have an appreciation for those people. … those individuals are the ones that make the business come to life and make the business alive.”
— Greg Morley [07:35]

Integrating Commercial Experience into HR and DEI

Timestamp: [07:35]

Greg emphasizes the importance of understanding the operational facets of a business to effectively lead in HR and DEI. His hands-on experience in sales, supply chain management, and frontline operations allows him to empathize with employees across various levels. This comprehensive perspective enables him to craft DEI strategies that are both practical and aligned with business goals.

Notable Quote:

“I understand what it looks like to be a sales rep with targets and pressure from your boss about getting things done and sold.”
— Greg Morley [07:35]

Collaborative Leadership with CFOs and CEOs

Timestamp: [09:50]

Discussing the synergy between HR and other executive roles, Greg highlights the critical nature of collaboration between people leaders, CFOs, and CEOs. He advocates for HR leaders to be strategic partners rather than just administrative functions, contributing to shaping the business's direction and fostering a dynamic organizational culture.

Notable Quote:

“The most savvy leaders of people are those that know how to work with an HR team or with their HR partner.”
— Greg Morley [09:50]

Evolving Approaches to DEI at Moët Tennessee

Timestamp: [12:16]

Greg reflects on his DEI journey, acknowledging past setbacks and the continuous learning process. At Moët Tennessee, his approach centers on rewiring organizational systems to foster diversity and inclusion rather than merely implementing surface-level changes. This involves updating policies, minimizing biases in hiring and promotions, and ensuring that DEI efforts are deeply embedded within the corporate fabric.

Notable Quote:

“You really have to start with the end in mind… creating an organization that was more reflective of our consumers and customers.”
— Greg Morley [12:16]

Overcoming Initial DEI Challenges and Implementing Strategies

Timestamp: [17:05]

Addressing the initial hurdles in advancing the DEI agenda, Greg discusses strategies such as unconscious bias training, establishing employee resource groups, and implementing measurable metrics to track progress. He underscores the importance of senior leadership advocacy, particularly from the CEO, to legitimize and drive DEI initiatives effectively.

Notable Quote:

“Nothing is more powerful than the CEO saying something's important and saying it over and over.”
— Greg Morley [12:16]

Tailoring DEI Initiatives in a Multicultural Enterprise

Timestamp: [20:21]

Moët Tennessee's expansive global presence introduces complexities in DEI implementation. Greg explains how DEI initiatives are customized to respect each brand's unique cultural identity while maintaining alignment with the overarching corporate values. This involves allowing individual business units the autonomy to craft DEI strategies that resonate with their specific demographics and market contexts.

Notable Quote:

“Representation is critical. … each location is left to really imagine their own success in this space.”
— Greg Morley [25:07]

Creating a Representative Organization

Timestamp: [25:07]

Greg defines a representative organization as one that mirrors its diverse consumer base across different geographical and cultural landscapes. For example, Moët Tennessee's Hennessy brand caters to a varied clientele globally, necessitating a workforce that reflects this diversity to ensure authentic engagement and market understanding.

Notable Quote:

“We have to make sure that there's a structure and an overall strategy and an overall direction. Yet each business unit… can imagine their own success.”
— Greg Morley [25:07]

Impact of DEI on Individual Career Growth

Timestamp: [26:49]

Highlighting personal stories, Greg shares how DEI initiatives empower employees to take control of their careers. By fostering an inclusive environment, individuals feel safe to express their ambitions, leading to increased retention and employee satisfaction. He illustrates this with an anecdote about a colleague of color who now feels liberated to pursue growth opportunities within the organization.

Notable Quote:

“She feels like now she has a place. So that, to me, is huge progress.”
— Greg Morley [26:49]

Introducing Greg Morley’s Book: "Bond"

Timestamp: [28:41]

Greg introduces his forthcoming book, "Bond," which explores the essence of belonging and connection within organizations. The book underscores that fostering these bonds is vital not just for organizational success but also for individual well-being. Greg shares that the idea originated from conversations urging him to share his experiences to inspire others.

Notable Quote:

“Connection and belonging happen in many, many different ways. … people want to feel included.”
— Greg Morley [32:01]

Concluding Insights

Timestamp: [33:28]

In wrapping up, Greg emphasizes that a sense of belonging is a powerful driver for both personal and organizational growth. He envisions a future where Chief Change Officers play a pivotal role in nurturing these connections, ensuring that the best ideas and innovations emerge from all levels of the organization.

Notable Quote:

“The best ideas come from anybody.”
— Greg Morley [32:01]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Chief Change Officer offers profound insights into the strategic implementation of DEI in global enterprises. Greg Morley's experiences and forward-thinking approaches provide valuable lessons for leaders aiming to cultivate inclusive, dynamic, and resilient organizations. His upcoming book, "Bond," promises to further enrich the discourse on fostering meaningful connections in the workplace and beyond.

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Note: This summary intentionally omits the podcast's advertisement segments to focus solely on the substantive content of the episode.