Leadership is a Choice

Over the years, my team and I have helped tech executives step into the spotlight and claim leadership. Some executives have been reluctant participants, others have embraced the opportunity to illuminate and motivate. Whether they relish the role or participate because it’s necessary, smart executives realize the beacon of leadership lights a path to influence and profits by directing action and inspiring others. But leadership isn’t simply a mercenary activity designed to drive sales. It can be a vehicle for courage and change. 

Inspiring narratives are only half of the leadership equation. Leadership must also be manifested in our values, processes, actions and results. Karbo is committed to walking the walk by embracing aspects of leadership in our own company. One example is our designation of election day as a paid company holiday. We don’t do this expecting a specific result. Self determination for ourselves and our communities is heavily dependent on voting. We’ve done this so our team can give voice to their values. 

We also possess strong values as it relates to equity, even as a number of companies are reducing or eliminating equity (frequently referred to as DEI) efforts. Retreats from DEI commitments have been attributed to several factors. 

As Forbes states, “The recent rollback of DEI initiatives can be attributed to various factors. Economic uncertainties, political polarization, and societal backlash against perceived “wokeness” have made some companies wary of continuing their investments in DEI.”  These retreats have not come without a cost. There has been some backlash from employees and customers with some companies struggling  to respond to the retreat from DEI.

Others, such as Microsoft and Salesforce, remain committed to their equity initiatives. Their values remain unchanged by regulatory changes and the trends around language that come and go. Most importantly they’re focused on the intended outcomes – enriching the diversity of thought and value brought by diverse perspectives, experiences, and people. 

In fact research by Seramount published on October 1,  2024 shows that “…80% of their 600+ clients are maintaining their DEI efforts, with an additional 10% doubling down. That leaves only 10% scaling back—largely companies that never viewed DEI as a business imperative to begin with.”

 Karbo chooses to remain devoted to equity efforts because providing opportunities for those that have been blocked — either through lack of protections, prejudice, or lack of commitment — helps to level the professional playing field. In our own way we choose to eliminate the roadblocks of discrimination that continue to hinder participation and equal opportunity in tech. For example, we undertake non-discriminatory interviewing and hiring, promote based solely on merit, contribute to scholarships for students in marginalized communities, and donate to organizations that fight discrimination. And let’s be clear, we have realized a tremendous business benefit from employees that belong to disenfranchised communities. Their presence, perspective and contributions have enriched our company in many ways—financially and otherwise. 

More than ever, executives are revealing themselves by the paths they lay for some and eliminate for others.  As these hard choices are made, I hope true leaders will make choices that are not only driven by expediency, but by values and ethics. We can choose to be a bridge to progress and achievement, rather than an impediment to some based on the past. My experience in working with hundreds of executives and companies is that most want to do what’s best for their stakeholders and this includes charting a path to success that is inclusive versus exclusionary.