Former Jamba Juice CEO James D. White: Empathy Is a Talent That Can Be Taught
Harvard Business ReviewSummary
James White, co-author of "Anti-Racist Leadership" and former CEO of Jamba Juice, emphasizes the importance of anti-racist leadership in transforming corporate culture. He defines anti-racism as a commitment to creating opportunities for all and highlights the necessity for action rather than mere rhetoric. White shares insights from his book, which advocates for a proactive approach to addressing systemic racism and fostering inclusivity within organizations.
During the discussion, White cites examples of companies like Target and Logitech, which have made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion. He argues that the current movement for anti-racism in corporate America differs from past efforts due to increased accountability from leadership and a broader recognition of systemic issues. White also stresses the importance of empathy in leadership, suggesting that it can be cultivated through intentional experiences and learning opportunities.
Reflecting on his own experiences with discrimination, White underscores the need for resilience and a strong support system. He believes that creating an equitable workplace requires ongoing commitment and measurement of progress, particularly from middle management, to ensure sustainable change. White's collaboration with his daughter Krista on the book has been a deeply personal journey, aiming to inspire meaningful conversations and actions across the corporate landscape.
Show Notes
Former Jamba Juice CEO James D. White: Empathy Is a Skill That Can Be Taught
1 Dec 2022
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James D. White considers himself “an unlikely public company CEO.” His first job out of college was handling sales for Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid division in some of Missouri’s “sundown towns,” where potential customers would imply that, as a Black man, it would be “unhealthy” for him to stick around past sunset. Nevertheless, White rose through the ranks at Coca-Cola and would go on to hold executive positions at Safeway, Gillette, and Nestlé Purina before becoming CEO, chair, and president of Jamba Juice from 2008 to 2016, where he led an impressive effort to reinvent the brand. He has more than 20 years of experience on boards, including The Honest Company, where he serves as chair. Recently, he’s begun sharing his personal journey, and works with today’s leaders to ensure that an anti-racist world becomes the new normal.
White is the co-author with his daughter Krista of "Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Corporate Culture in a Race-Conscious World" (https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Racist-Leadership-Transform-Corporate-Race-Conscious/dp/1647821975). Tackling systemic racism, White says, requires business leaders to treat it like any serious company goal: it's baked into the strategy, and gets worked on daily, weekly, and monthly. “This is work that must be measured,” he says.
This interview part of a series called “The New World of Work,” which explores how top-tier executives see the future and how their companies are trying to set themselves up for success. Each week, Adi will interview a leader on LinkedIn Live — and then share an inside look at those conversations and solicit questions for future discussions in a newsletter just for HBR subscribers. If you’re a subscriber, you can sign up for the newsletter here: https://hbr.org/my-library/preferences?movetile=newworldofwork.
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