Angela Cheng-Cimini, Senior Vice President, Talent & Chief Human Resources Officer for Harvard Business Publishing, brings 30 years of diverse HR experience across consumer goods, professional services, high-tech, and nonprofit sectors. She has successfully guided companies through various growth stages, leading teams across major continents. Prior to her current role, Angela was instrumental in transforming the HR function at ClearMotion, Inc., and led a global HR team at Crabtree & Evelyn, driving the company’s transition to a digital business model. A Cornell University alumna, Angela is actively involved in the Alumni Board of Directors, serves as an HR Venture Adviser for SemperVirens, co-leads the HR Vertical for Ascend, and is a Board Director for the T. Howard Foundation, championing diversity in the media industry.

In this episode, Jason and Angela discuss:

• Impact of personal stories on business strategies and growth
• Role of gratitude and family support in personal and professional life
• Tensions between self-doubt and confidence for Asian American women in leadership
• Evolution of leadership towards simplicity and compassion
• The intersection of HR challenges with effective team management and strategic planning

 Key Takeaways: 

• A life strategy, rooted in foundational principles, can profoundly shape not only business outcomes but also the arc of one's entire life.
• Angela's personal narrative demonstrates a progression from familial expectations to thriving in executive roles, which illuminates the blending of confidence and doubt as crucial elements of her journey.
• Reflecting on leadership, the shift from traditional, authoritative styles to approaches marked by empathy underscores the values that contemporary HR leaders should embody.
• The 'not now' card system fosters an environment where transparent communication and effective project flow are prioritized, benefiting team dynamics.
• Embracing the 'platinum rule' may revolutionize organizational success, potentially surpassing the outcomes of the well-known 'golden rule' by cultivating a deeper investment in the well-being and development of people.

“Leadership is a first principle. Organizations can't achieve their goals whether it's grabbing market share, improving margins, or getting great customer feedback without truly investing in their people. Leaders need to know how to take care of them.”

 - Angela Cheng-Cimini

Connect with Angela Cheng-Cimini:

Website: http://www.harvardbusinesspublishing.org/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-cheng-cimini/ 

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.