Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of Dr. Schuster and Oxley, the power of stories. Today, we are joined by our good friend and long-term working colleague, Hetty Pye from Russell Reynolds fame, among other things. As I was preparing for this podcast, I thought about the Overton window. This concept refers to the range of ideas that the public considers acceptable at a given time. In politics, it reflects what is socially acceptable today, and how it gradually changes over time.
I recall when I first started in the workplace, there were norms that were accepted as part of the fabric of working life, such as the belief that black athletes couldn't be quarterbacks in the US. This was once a widely accepted norm, but it now seems utterly ridiculous. Similarly, the glass ceilings that women faced in their careers were viewed as normal, yet today we question how we ever believed those things to be true.
There's a quote by Abhijani that states, "democracy thrives on diversity, but conventional wisdom often thrives on conformity." This highlights the tension between the leading edge of our consciousness and what society accepts as normal. The question we discussed was: what accepted ideas today will we look back on in 2040 and wonder how we ever accepted them as true?
I think there are many things to consider, but one aspect that I believe will remain unchanged is our own limiting beliefs. These beliefs often lack evidence yet can define many people's lives. Changing societal norms takes time, but we can challenge our own belief systems and remove our limiting boundaries. This is something that our guest, Hetty, has been doing fiercely and relentlessly.
Hetty is a senior member of the Russell Reynolds team, a strong advocate for female leadership, and the co-founder of the RRA Artemis project. We're excited to have her here today to share her insights.
**About Hetty Pye**
Hetty is celebrated for her commitment to challenging societal norms and advocating for women in leadership. With over two decades of experience in the industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the conversation.
**The Power of Challenging Norms**
When we dive into our discussion, Hetty shares her experience working in leadership roles and reflects on her early career. Her first boss was a woman with characteristics reminiscent of Anna Wintour, which was both exceptional and unusual at the time. Hetty expresses gratitude for this experience, as it shaped her understanding of leadership and the importance of breaking conventional norms.
One of the key insights Hetty shares is the significance of asking the right questions. In her view, the ability to question accepted norms is crucial for leadership and personal growth. She emphasizes that sometimes the most obvious answer isn't the best one, and exploring potential rather than proven experience can lead to greater success.
**Reflection on Personal Growth**
Hetty discusses how her childhood and innate personality have influenced her career. She has engaged in numerous psychometric evaluations, demonstrating her desire to understand the root causes of behavior and decision-making. This introspection has driven her to seek answers beyond surface-level explanations.
As she navigated her career, Hetty highlights a pivotal moment during a global meeting hosted by Russell Reynolds in Phoenix, Arizona, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic. This event served as a catalyst for her to reflect on the changes in leadership dynamics and the importance of adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
**Key Takeaways**
1. **Challenge your beliefs**: Hetty encourages everyone to question their own beliefs and societal conventions.
2. **Embrace diversity**: A diverse leadership team can lead to better decision-making and innovation.
3. **Seek the right questions**: Often, the most valuable insights come from asking the right questions, rather than settling for the obvious answers.
In conclusion, this conversation underscores the importance of questioning the status quo and the role it plays in personal and professional development. By challenging limiting beliefs and embracing diversity, we can create a more inclusive and innovative future.
I recall when I first started in the workplace, there were norms that were accepted as part of the fabric of working life, such as the belief that black athletes couldn't be quarterbacks in the US. This was once a widely accepted norm, but it now seems utterly ridiculous. Similarly, the glass ceilings that women faced in their careers were viewed as normal, yet today we question how we ever believed those things to be true.
There's a quote by Abhijani that states, "democracy thrives on diversity, but conventional wisdom often thrives on conformity." This highlights the tension between the leading edge of our consciousness and what society accepts as normal. The question we discussed was: what accepted ideas today will we look back on in 2040 and wonder how we ever accepted them as true?
I think there are many things to consider, but one aspect that I believe will remain unchanged is our own limiting beliefs. These beliefs often lack evidence yet can define many people's lives. Changing societal norms takes time, but we can challenge our own belief systems and remove our limiting boundaries. This is something that our guest, Hetty, has been doing fiercely and relentlessly.
Hetty is a senior member of the Russell Reynolds team, a strong advocate for female leadership, and the co-founder of the RRA Artemis project. We're excited to have her here today to share her insights.
**About Hetty Pye**
Hetty is celebrated for her commitment to challenging societal norms and advocating for women in leadership. With over two decades of experience in the industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the conversation.
**The Power of Challenging Norms**
When we dive into our discussion, Hetty shares her experience working in leadership roles and reflects on her early career. Her first boss was a woman with characteristics reminiscent of Anna Wintour, which was both exceptional and unusual at the time. Hetty expresses gratitude for this experience, as it shaped her understanding of leadership and the importance of breaking conventional norms.
One of the key insights Hetty shares is the significance of asking the right questions. In her view, the ability to question accepted norms is crucial for leadership and personal growth. She emphasizes that sometimes the most obvious answer isn't the best one, and exploring potential rather than proven experience can lead to greater success.
**Reflection on Personal Growth**
Hetty discusses how her childhood and innate personality have influenced her career. She has engaged in numerous psychometric evaluations, demonstrating her desire to understand the root causes of behavior and decision-making. This introspection has driven her to seek answers beyond surface-level explanations.
As she navigated her career, Hetty highlights a pivotal moment during a global meeting hosted by Russell Reynolds in Phoenix, Arizona, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic. This event served as a catalyst for her to reflect on the changes in leadership dynamics and the importance of adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
**Key Takeaways**
1. **Challenge your beliefs**: Hetty encourages everyone to question their own beliefs and societal conventions.
2. **Embrace diversity**: A diverse leadership team can lead to better decision-making and innovation.
3. **Seek the right questions**: Often, the most valuable insights come from asking the right questions, rather than settling for the obvious answers.
In conclusion, this conversation underscores the importance of questioning the status quo and the role it plays in personal and professional development. By challenging limiting beliefs and embracing diversity, we can create a more inclusive and innovative future.
Creators and Guests
Host
David Oxley
Dr Oxley is a dual UK/US citizen based in Austin, Texas. David started his career as a management consultant before leading major people and corporate restructuring projects for BP PLC across Europe, USA, India, and the Middle East. He worked closely with Reliance Industries in India, one of BP’s partners, as they embarked on their big corporate restructuring. He currently spends his time researching and writing on future career trends for publications around the world including Fast Company, Forbes, Big Think, Reader’s Digest, and HR Today where he also serves as a member of the global advisory board. David was awarded his doctorate in Organizational Change at Cranfield University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Host
Helmut Schuster
Dr Schuster is a dual Austrian/British citizen who lives in London, UK. He is the former Group HR Director of BP PLC and Chairman of the Board for Ivocar Vivadent. He currently serves on the board of several dynamic start-up businesses including ExpectAI, a Greentech enterprise. Helmut is an active entrepreneur, investor, and frequent contributor to leadership and AFS Cultural programs. He completed his PhD in Economics from the University of Vienna.
Guest
Hetty Pye
Hetty Pye is a senior London-based leadership advisor and a core member of the Board & CEO Advisory Partners at Russell Reynolds Associates. She leads the firm’s global Energy and Infrastructure Services Practice and chairs its internal LEAP Board.Specializing in CEO succession, board effectiveness, and corporate transformation, Hetty helps international businesses navigate complex leadership challenges. She is a prominent advocate for gender parity and inclusive leadership, co-founding RRA Artemis—a global movement and accelerator development program designed to drive systemic change for female CEOs. Hetty holds an MA in Modern History from Oxford University.
What is The Drs S&O Podcast: The Power of Stories?
Hosted by the writing collaboration Drs Schuster & Oxley, this show focuses on how story telling can be such a powerful source of inspiration in our professional lives. Each episode shares an entertaining story, often provided by a notable business leader. The power of stories is an entertaining, fun, uplifting podcast designed to help professionals in all walks of life find answers to imponderable questions and smile while they do so.