The Big Fish podcast is jumping swim lanes this month. Instead of chatting with a Talent Leader, I seized the opportunity to interview a Talent Influencer – Gretchen Carlson, the accomplished journalist, former Fox & Friends Host, Author, Ted Talker, and unintentional founder of the #MeToo movement. Gretchen spoke at the Spring ERE Recruiting Conference and I was fortunate to have snagged a few minutes with her after her Keynote for my podcast, Big Fish in the Talent Pool, now available on iTunes.
Gretchen’s new book Be Fierce, is a transparent and shocking account of not only her own experiences with sexual harassment which led to her decision to blow the whistle on Roger Ailes in 2016, but also the scores of women who contacted her after her news broke to tell her their stories. Her audacious and passionate goal is simply this: to end the all too common harassment and assault women experience in the workplace. She offers practical, well-researched solutions for business and HR leaders as well as legislators. She tackles the conundrums of quantifying abuse, forced arbitration in employment contracts, and the role of bystanders (“If you see something, say something!”).
We couldn’t possibly cover everything Gretchen is working on in our short 20 minutes together, but if you enjoy our conversation, check out her Ted Talk, her #BeFierceBook, and her foundation. Gretchen is indeed a hero for our times. Personally, I was inspired by her to create solutions that could help our clients at PeopleResults protect and empower their employees against harassment. Because really, as it relates to safety and freedom to succeed at work, we should all Be Fierce!
Erin McDermott Peterson is a Partner with PeopleResults. Follow her on Twitter @ErinMcPeterson or connect via email at epeterson@people-results.com
