Change Conversations

The workplace is an arena where authenticity and individuality have traditionally been snuffed out. Uniformity was prized over cultivating personal strengths, and appearing to have all the answers took precedence over lifelong learning. Today, more industry leaders are seeing the value in authenticity. Being your authentic self means you have an awareness of who you are and what you stand for, and you express yourself honestly and consistently to the world. Authentic leadership means leading with transparency and self-awareness, while processing differing viewpoints, and making ethical, purpose-driven decisions. Authentic leaders are open about their flaws, the motivation behind their decisions, and they create space where others feel comfortable doing the same. Accenture’s new research, Omni-connected experiences, reveals that just a small fraction of any team—your team—feels like they are getting what they need and truly connecting on a human level. Did you know there’s a gap in what people need for experiences and engagement and what leaders provide: 1 in 4 employees feel that their company cares about them.27% of employees feel like they truly belong and bring their authentic selves to the workplace. This needs to be looked at - when people feel highly connected to each other, their leaders and their work, their companies stand to gain a 7.4% revenue growth boost per year. Listen to learn the importance of authentic leaders, relationships, engagement and culture. Guest Bozoma St John, Hall of Fame Inducted Marketing Executive, Author, and Entrepreneur, Most Influential CMO in the World – Forbes, 2021. Former Global CMO Netflix

Inclusion & diversity, racism, the skills gap, shecession, representation, mentorship, invisible disabilities, health equity, mental health: We've covered a lot of ground in the first year of Change Conversations.  Listen in as we share some of our favorite moments and highlights over the course of the past year.

Mental health is one of the most pressing – and most discussed – concerns in our lives today. Businesses are starting to put mental health support at the forefront of their health and wellness strategies and are offering more programs to help create working environments that are more compassionate. What has been the domino effect on workforces? What are the leadership qualities needed? What are the programs and structures needed? How can we measure what programs are working? What more can be done so people believe that supporting mental health is as important as physical health? Guests Michelle Williams, Grammy Award Winning singer-songwriter, actress, mental health advocate Christie Smith, global lead of Talent & Organization/Human Potential, Accenture

Inclusion & diversity, racism, the skills gap, shecession, representation, mentorship, invisible disabilities, health equity, mental health.   We've covered a lot of ground in the first year of Change Conversations.  Listen in as we share some of our favorite moments and highlights over the course of the season.

Mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing issues in our lives today. And—more than ever—one of the most discussed. Business leaders are starting to speak openly about their own thoughts and struggles, putting this crisis at the top of agendas, and developing programs to create more supportive workplace mental health programs.   What has been the “trickle down” effect of this candor on employee mental health? How are leaders reaching the employees who need to hear the message? What more can be done so people think that supporting mental health is as important as physical health?   Guest: Aly Raisman, gold medal gymnast, advocate, best-selling author. Aly is a retired American artistic gymnast and two-time Olympian. The hope from this episode is that when business leaders, community leaders and influential public figures share their struggles, they pave the way for all of us to talk about mental health.

The COVID crisis underscored many cracks in our healthcare system, a system with longstanding inequities. It also showed us how interconnected we are, and that we can make powerful change when we work together to improve community health. The focus of this session is to explore the technology that will help close gaps in access to health care, especially for underserved communities. In fact, it's already happening.   We'll talk with Comcast about their digital health platform that offers personalized and interactive health journeys to consumers and their caregivers - transforming the way connected devices (IoT, etc.) and home monitoring can support home health care.   We’ll talk with Walmart about how they are bringing health equity to its communities by leveraging business capabilities and bringing whole systems of change to improve health outcomes.  Discover how leading companies and community organizations are taking meaningful action to bridge this gap, using technology to connect more people to the care they need.

There is a talent crisis in the US right now. We have workforces that don’t reflect our populations and are disproportionately impacted based on their race or ethnicity. We have people leaving the workforce at staggering levels, and we have companies looking to close the skills gap and advance equitable hiring. It seems there is a disconnect between people eager to work, people leaving the workforce, and companies unable to fill roles. We will share what leaders can do to bring the right people to the right positions—to improve hiring practices, build inclusive and diverse workforces, and discover new talent pools.   Join Jimmy, Emmanuel and experts:   Steve Preston, President & CEO Goodwill, an American nonprofit that delivers job-training programs to people who face barriers to employment  Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President & CEO, AnitaB.org for Women and Technology, global nonprofit whose primary aim is to recruit, retain, and advance women in technology.

Jimmy and Emmanuel are joined by industry luminaries who are committed to building truly inclusive workplace cultures. Much progress has been made since the era of the Civil Rights Movement, but there is still more work to be done. Now more than ever, society is holding businesses to higher standards. Stakeholders, including investors and employees, expect organizations to deliver value responsibly and sustainably.  In this episode, we will unpack how leaders can create lasting change from the corner office to the newest hire.  Guests for this episode: Debra Lee, Chairman & CEO Emeritus, BET Networks, Chair, Leading Women Defined Foundation and Co-Founder, Partner, The Monarchs Collective   Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide, former Chief People & Culture officer at Major League Baseball

Women lost their jobs or left the workforce at significantly higher rates than men during the pandemic and have encountered more long-term barriers to reentry. As a result, this economic era has earned the nickname the “shecession.” The pandemic also eroded years of progress towards gender equality at work. In part 2 of this two-part episode, we will outline the social issues the pandemic has exposed and explore ways that employers can provide equitable skilling and meaningful employment to help women return to work. Our guests for this episode include; Dee Poku-Spalding, Founder and CEO, the WIE Suite Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder and CEO, Landit Rachel Thomas, Co-founder and CEO, LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide

Women lost their jobs or left the workforce at significantly higher rates than men during the pandemic and have encountered more long-term barriers to reentry. As a result, this economic era has earned the nickname the “shecession.” The pandemic also eroded years of progress towards gender equality at work. In part 1 of this two-part episode, we will outline the social issues the pandemic has exposed and explore ways that employers can provide equitable skilling and meaningful employment to help women return to work.

Representation matters in sports, music, advertising and entertainment. When you see yourself on the big and small screen, in ad campaigns and leadership roles, it creates a wider sense of possibility; you can more fully envision that doors are open to you. More diversity on screen, in ads, on stage and in decision-making positions goes a long way towards inspiring the next generation – the notion that we have to “see it to be it.” It also makes good business sense. Equity is not only important, it’s also good for the bottom line. It’s estimated that there are billions in untapped revenue given the lack of representation for all stories – and faces. So, what’s stopping these industries from achieving it?

Invisible disabilities aren't immediately apparent to others. They include developmental disabilities like autism and ADHD, visual or auditory impairment, and more. Because these disabilities can fly under the radar, a segment of the workforce lacks on-the-job support or, even worse, they can’t get their foot in the door because the hiring process just isn’t designed for them. Companies are starting to understand how to retain different types of employees by highlighting their strengths and supporting weaknesses, while breaking down employment barriers. This episode will explore how to attract and retain employees with invisible disabilities, and underscore the value they bring to organizations.

Becoming an entrepreneur is tough. When it comes to launching new and innovative business ideas, you need the right types of support to turn dreams into reality. That’s why making inroads into industries like tech can be especially hard for African American, Black, Hispanic American and Latinx entrepreneurs. With less access to networks of mentors and investors, the odds of success are not in their favor.  This episode focuses on the systemic barriers to success that African American, Black, Hispanic American and Latinx entrepreneurs, creatives and founders continue to face… and what needs to be done to remove them.  Guests:  Pharrell Williams, Musician, Producer, Founder of Black Ambition Prize Kathryn Ross, Global Open Innovation Lead and Black Founders Development Program Lead, Accenture  Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer, Apollo Theatre   Co-hosts: Jimmy Etheredge and Emmanuel Acho

Emmanuel Acho has changed the nature of conversations around race and equality in the US. Jimmy Etheredge has built his leadership agenda for Accenture North America on the commitment to doing well by doing good. In this mind-opening inaugural episode of Change Conversations, they get honest and real about their motivation and commitment to inspiring action from leaders, employees and communities that leads to equality for all. With a little humor and a lot of grit they show they are not afraid to tackle hard topics head on to build bridges, open hearts and minds, and inspire change. And, it all starts with uncomfortable conversations.

Jimmy Etheredge (CEO – North America, Accenture) and Emmanuel Acho (FS1 Sports Analyst, former NFL Linebacker, and NYT Bestselling Author & Host, "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man"), co-host Change Conversations. This podcast is about navigating business and life during a time of great technological and cultural upheaval, while creating a more equitable workplace – and a better world. Now, more than ever, business and community leaders are well-positioned to drive important and lasting change, creating a movement, not just a moment.