Take Command: A Leadership Podcast
Episode: Olympic Learning Meets Leadership: Insights on Grit and Good Power
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Host: Joe Hart
Guest: Ginny Rometty, Former Chairwoman, President, and CEO of IBM; Co-Chair at 110

Introduction

In this inspiring episode of Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, host Joe Hart engages in a profound conversation with Ginny Rometty, the former Chairwoman, President, and CEO of IBM. Recognized by Fortune magazine as the number one most powerful woman in the world for three consecutive years, Ginny shares her journey of resilience, leadership, and the principles that guided her through transforming IBM into a $25 billion hybrid cloud business. Her bestselling book, Good Power, serves as a cornerstone for the episode, providing invaluable insights into effective leadership in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Early Life and Foundations of Resilience

Ginny Rometty begins by reflecting on her early life, emphasizing the profound influence of the strong women who raised her. She narrates the hardships her great-grandmother and grandmother endured, instilling in her the values of hard work and perseverance.

Ginny Rometty [00:00]: "Resilience gets to the heart of it. It's your attitude and you control it... spend 10% dwelling on the problem and 90% about what to do going forward."

Her mother’s unwavering determination after her father abandoned the family further reinforced her belief in self-definition and moving forward despite adversity.

Ginny Rometty [03:05]: "No one was going to define her as a loser. She was going to write the end of this story, not my father."

Embracing Continuous Learning

A significant theme in Ginny’s journey is the pursuit of continuous learning. She underscores the importance of being an "Olympic learner," focusing on understanding the how rather than merely memorizing the what.

Ginny Rometty [12:26]: "Become an Olympic learner if you can... you have more agency for yourself than you think you do."

Ginny attributes much of her success to her passion for math and engineering, which taught her critical problem-solving skills. She advocates for educational systems to prioritize teaching how to think and solve problems over rote memorization.

Good Power: Leadership with Integrity

The concept of Good Power is central to Ginny’s leadership philosophy. She defines it as the respectful and constructive use of authority to drive positive change.

Ginny Rometty [33:27]: "How you did what you did can be as important or more important as what you do. The how does matter, hence the Good Power idea."

Good Power encompasses several tenets:

• Love Tension: Embracing conflict as a catalyst for innovation.
• Seek the Third Way: Finding non-polarizing solutions to challenges.
• Celebrate Progress: Valuing incremental improvements over unattainable perfection.

These principles guided Ginny in leading IBM through significant transformations, emphasizing respectful change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills First Movement: Redefining Hiring Practices

Ginny passionately discusses the Skills First movement, which prioritizes hiring based on skills rather than traditional credentials like college degrees. This approach aims to unlock hidden talent pools and promote upward mobility for individuals without formal education.

Ginny Rometty [36:03]: "Access and aptitude are not equal... where someone starts should not determine where they end."

She highlights successful initiatives like P. Tech and Oneten, which provide high school students with internships and training, ensuring they are job-ready irrespective of their educational background. This movement not only diversifies the workforce but also aligns with the rapid technological advancements requiring adaptable and skilled professionals.

Leadership Lessons: Vulnerability and Authenticity

Reflecting on her leadership journey, Ginny emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. Initially hesitant to showcase her vulnerabilities, she later recognized how being open about her challenges fostered stronger followership and trust.

Ginny Rometty [23:18]: "Growth and comfort will never coexist... if you're going to grow, you are going to be at risk or uncomfortable."

By sharing her stories and admitting faults, Ginny cultivated a leadership style that resonated with her team, encouraging a culture of honesty and mutual respect.

Harnessing AI for Personal Productivity

Towards the end of the episode, Ginny shares her practical experiences with Artificial Intelligence (AI). She uses AI tools to simplify complex medical information and assist in creative tasks, while cautioning against over-reliance due to potential inaccuracies.

Ginny Rometty [41:40]: "AI is all about people change, not technology changes."

Her balanced approach to AI reflects her broader philosophy of leveraging technology to enhance human capabilities without compromising judgment and accountability.

Conclusion: Empowering Through Leadership

Ginny Rometty’s insights offer a roadmap for aspiring leaders to cultivate resilience, embrace continuous learning, and exercise Good Power. Her commitment to fostering inclusive hiring practices and authentic leadership has left an indelible mark on IBM and the broader business community.

Ginny Rometty [35:32]: "This is not a have and have not world, but there's just a fact in reality... anyone can get a good job, family of four, be able to live upward mobility."

Joe Hart encapsulates the essence of the conversation, encouraging listeners to internalize these lessons to unlock their leadership potential.

Notable Quotes

• Ginny Rometty [00:00]: "Resilience gets to the heart of it. It's your attitude and you control it."
• Ginny Rometty [03:05]: "No one was going to define her as a loser."
• Ginny Rometty [12:26]: "Become an Olympic learner if you can."
• Ginny Rometty [33:27]: "How you did what you did can be as important or more important as what you do."
• Ginny Rometty [36:03]: "Access and aptitude are not equal."
• Ginny Rometty [23:18]: "Growth and comfort will never coexist."
• Ginny Rometty [41:40]: "AI is all about people change, not technology changes."
• Ginny Rometty [35:32]: "Anyone can get a good job, family of four, be able to live upward mobility."

Final Thoughts

Ginny Rometty's compelling narrative serves as a testament to the power of resilience, intentional leadership, and the relentless pursuit of growth. Her story not only inspires but also provides actionable strategies for leaders aiming to make a meaningful impact in their organizations and beyond.

For more insights and tools to elevate your leadership journey, visit Dale Carnegie and follow Take Command: A Leadership Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.