13 | Chris Gardner | Managing Diversity and The Real Role of a CEO In a Progressive Organization

September 15, 2021 00:41:06
13 | Chris Gardner | Managing Diversity and The Real Role of a CEO In a Progressive Organization
Unlocking Your People Audio Only
13 | Chris Gardner | Managing Diversity and The Real Role of a CEO In a Progressive Organization

Sep 15 2021 | 00:41:06

/

Show Notes

Chris Gardner is the CEO of Sequence Bio and he has some thoughts on diversity, remote working, and conflict management to share with Jess.

Based in Newfoundland, Sequence Bio is a data-driven biotechnology company. They’re doing cutting-edge work, not just in their day-to-day operations, but also in their smart and scientific HR practices.

Jess recently placed a high-ranking executive at Sequence Bio and he was totally blown away by their emphasis on understanding people and psychology. In today’s show, you’ll get a peek into Sequence Bio’s workplace and learn about their best practices.

The first theme touched upon is diversity. When Chris had everyone in his organization take DISC assessments, he was surprised by the diversity he found among his team. He greatly credits this diversity for his team’s spectacular performance. However, he quickly discovered that managing these differences requires both intent and structure.


As an experienced business leader, Chris emphasizes the importance of servant leadership. He reveals that, as CEO, he’s primarily responsible for facilitation and risk mitigation. It is not the CEO’s job to “carry the ball across the line.” Rather, you need to accept your weaknesses and delegate tasks to a team member with the right skillset.


We discuss the importance of creating a safe space for “good” conflicts, along with some nuanced tips for building team culture in a remote environment.


Enjoy!


What You Will Learn In This Show:



Resources:

Podcast

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn


Other Episodes

Episode

August 21, 2025 00:05:41
Episode Cover

16.5 | Just Ask Jess: Mastering Team Accountability

In this mini-episode, Jess answers the question of how to set clear expectations and accountability across teams. She shares insights on the importance of...

Listen

Episode

August 11, 2021 00:33:41
Episode Cover

8 | Alison Butler | Mental Health Considerations

Mental health is a hot topic, particularly in the workplace. The events of the past year and the challenges the pandemic has brought have...

Listen

Episode

August 18, 2021 00:29:55
Episode Cover

9 | Rene Woolridge | Change, Resistance and Resilience

It's been said that the only constant thing is change. That's certainly been true over the last year or, as the global pandemic has...

Listen