Name: This CEO Thinks the Hardest Jobs Give You the Biggest Advantage
Uploaded: 2018-01-08
Duration: 4 min 57 s
Description: PG&E’s Geisha Williams is focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Geisha, you made so much news when you became CEO of PG & E and also being the first Latina CEO on the Fortune 500. How significant for you is that, and does it bring more responsibility on your shoulders? Well first of all, I had no idea that I was the first Latina Fortune 500 CEO, I couldn't believe it actually. I would have thought that by now There would've been someone else. We each have a responsibility to do something to help the next generation. You know, everyone says how excited they are about me being the first. That's great, I'm really happy about being the first. But you know what? It's much more important for me that I'm not the last. I have a job to do to make sure that I'm not the last. Because of your Cuban background. Yes. You're getting a lot more attention and people are focusing on you. What are you gonna do about diversity? Well, it's interesting. Diversity is one of the reasons that I chose PG & E. It's been such a great experience coming here. I am standing on the shoulders of giants when it comes to diversity. It's a great company recognized. As being one of the best in terms of diversity, so I'm really pleased to be able to continue, and hopefully build on that, but I haven't done anything new yet. As you know, there are only 32 female CEOs- Yes. On the Fortune 500, and now you're one of them. Yes. [ LAUGH ] What's the secret to your success? I think it's about really working hard, treating people well. Understanding the business and really going into the hard- core aspects of the business, the operations. I've had mentors over the years tell me, you gotta get a little dirt under your fingernails. You really do need to understand the essence of what your business is about, and I think I've done that. But at the end of the day, there's no secret. It's hard work. It's perseverance, and having a dream and following that dream. How much did your family story of coming from Cuba to the United States, all the ups and downs of trying to assimilate into America Contribute to this driving force of your ambitions. It's a big part of it. I think to my own experience as working alongside my parents, they had a little grocery store when I was growing up. And after school, coming home, and having a snack, and going right to the grocery store so that I could help my father and my mother as a cashier. I tell people that's how I became good at math, cuz I had to make change I learned hard work and perseverance, being part of a community. I learned the value of customer service, at such a young age. My parents are my inspiration. I can see how that was so impactful for you. A lot of women don't have that kind of that story and yet everybody always asks, and I'm sure they ask you, why don't we see more female CEO's. What do you think it's going to take? I tell everybody, do the tough jobs, lean into those difficult positions. You learn so much. By doing a difficult job. The confidence that you get from doing a difficult job and doing it well is something you carry to that next position and the one after that. We all need to become mentors to young women everywhere, Latinas, whatever. So that they can imagine a world where they can be the CEO. And then help them along the way by giving them the opportunity in tough How are you grooming the next generation of leaders at your company? What kind of advice are you giving them, especially women? I'm an active mentor, I'm an active sponsor, which is also about bringing people, providing them opportunities I do it for women. I do it for people of color. I do it for men. It's all about looking at the talent and giving them every possible opportunity. For me, my own mentor had such a profound impact on me. When I was 24 years old, just a couple years out of college, my mentor Clark Cook one day asked me what my long- term career aspirations were and I think I said something like I wanted to be a manager And he said, but Geisha someone has to run this company someday why not you? He was my spark. He was that motivating factor that led me to think that, you know maybe if I worked hard and prepared myself I might have a shot. And I think we all need to be doing that. So, Geisha this is the first year that Fortune has ranked you on its list of the most powerful women In business you're number 19. I am. What is your definition of a powerful woman? Wow. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] I think a powerful woman has influence. A powerful woman helps others. A powerful woman makes a difference in the lives of the customers that they serve. A powerful woman is a happy woman who is able to really, again, have an influence and have a benefit to society. [ BLANK_AUDIO ]

This CEO Thinks the Hardest Jobs Give You the Biggest Advantage

Leadership

PG&E’s Geisha Williams is focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders.