Tim Ryan is a lifelong hockey guy and current running enthusiast, but the sports metaphor he reaches for to describe his role as the US Chair & Senior Partner of global financial powerhouse PwC is football.
“Too often in corporate America, we go into the huddle where we agree on a pass play but not on what routes everybody is running,” he said. “In our case, we came into the huddle and decided we would be more diverse. But we never explored the best-in-class opportunities for executing this goal. It’s up to the quarterback, or in the case of a business, the leader, to be responsible for implementing such a process.”
Tim took this responsibility so seriously that he co-founded CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion™, where CEOs can gather to share best practices and ideas on equity. What started as a few CEOs collaborating in 2017 has turned into 2,200 leaders representing 21 million employees.
Ryan believes trust is the new currency of business — so much so that he developed PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute. This immersive program brings together a community of leaders to explore the role of trust in business and society.
“There are very few things that somebody can do at PwC, or any large organization, that will put them out of business,” Tim said. “But a culture of not trusting in people and not trying new things will, over time, destroy an organization.”
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"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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