Posts by Gena Cox
3 ways to enhance c-suite diversity
Since 1955, corporate board directors have selected a Fortune 500 CEO about 1800 times, yet fewer than 100 women and fewer than 6 Black women have ever been the CEO of one of these companies. Since the Fortune 500 is the epitome of corporate success in America, it is also a symbol of progress (or…
Read More3 Common Workplace Politics Traps and Tips to Navigate Them
“Workplace politics” are the unspoken rules that employees must learn and abide by if they are to survive in organizational life. While every company has these “rules,”; it is harder to figure out and abide by them in some company cultures than in others. Top-down hierarchical cultures, family-owned businesses, and tech start-ups are among the…
Read MoreThe 5 behaviors every leader should master to guide an organization’s progress
Over the years, through observing my clients and analyzing data from hundreds of thousands of employee responses, I have generated a list of four critical and non-negotiable behaviors leaders must exhibit to lead any enterprise effectively. Gena’s Top Five Essential Leadership Behaviors: This is a short but highly impactful list. Which of these are your…
Read MoreDon’t use 2019 behaviors if you want to increase workplace diversity
Companies continue to seek ways to enhance the diversity of their workforces. Yet, many overlook potentially good workers because they are using traditional attraction and selection processes that reinforce traditional outcomes. 2019 selection processes that compromise diversity efforts Sure, there is a groundswell of change that will (hopefully) change these practices, but most companies are…
Read MoreHow do diversity and inclusion impact the customer experience, and how are companies responding?
Since George Floyd’s death, brands are realizing that their advertising product and service design and marketing should consider all the ways Americans vary. Previously, these two aspects of business operations seemed mostly focused on the needs of White Americans. How are businesses improving their DEI practices to improve the customer journey? One clear and persistent…
Read MoreHow to tell if a potential employer values diversity and inclusion
Here is a list of things I would look for to help me make that “first-impression” assessment: And I might ask the following questions in the interview process:
Read MoreIs your home now your office? Learn how to bend time to your advantage
I planned my entire career around my daughter. I started a Ph.D. when she was two years old. Earlier that year, I finalized my divorce from her father, and she and I moved to a city where my major professor and dissertation advisor were the only people I knew. You might think the most critical…
Read MoreWhat exactly is the “diversity” problem you are trying to solve?
Corporate leaders want to address the diversity challenge At this juncture in American life, Corporate leaders are speaking more directly about racism, inequality and injustice than before. They understand that new and bolder actions are needed to address racial disparities in the workplace. They are looking for answers to many questions, including, “how can I…
Read MoreKen Frazier is the 2021 CEO of the Year!
What are the characteristics of the CEOs you admire most? I admire CEOs who are intelligent, thoughtful (rather than impulsive), inclusive, good listeners, effective communicators, and willing to make tough decisions. That is why Ken Frazier, former CEO of @Merck, has been on my shortlist of admirable CEOs for the last ten years. Frazier and…
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