Are You Balancing Your Adaptability And Authenticity Correctly? | feat. Shonn Brown

Lisa Gardner chats with Shonn Evans Brown, Chief Compliance Officer Of Heidelberg Materials North America, about the benefits of balance between adaptability and authenticity in professional settings. 

Shonn emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships, fostering trust, and engaging in meaningful conversations to bridge differences. She also highlights the challenges of being "othered" in professional spaces and advocates for aligning personal values with organizational missions. Addressing hiring and leadership practices, she urges a focus on diversity and innovation. Brown’s insights into personal and professional growth, authenticity, and strategic advocacy offer valuable perspectives on achieving inclusivity and navigating leadership challenges. 

Also in this episode:  

• Importance of Genuine Relationships: Shonn Evans Brown values authentic relationships and trust, gained through observing, listening, and being vulnerable, rather than just adapting to different environments. 

• Building Bridges Across Differences: She emphasizes finding commonalities to foster respect and meaningful conversations, even amidst disagreements, and sees this as crucial for successful advocacy for inclusion. 

• Experiences of Being "Othered": Brown highlights the significance of sharing experiences of exclusion with majority groups to build mutual understanding and trust. 

• Alignment with Organizational Values: She ensures that her professional roles align with her personal values and advises understanding an organization’s culture before advocating for change. 

• Broader Approach to Leadership: Brown advocates for inclusive hiring practices that look beyond familiar networks and focus on diverse recruitment and retention strategies. 

• Conversational Approach to Inclusion: She recommends engaging leaders in discussions about team diversity and its role in fostering innovation and success. 

 

Subscribe to The Uncompromise Podcast 

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify 

YouTube 

 

Connect With Lisa Gardner 

Instagram 

Linkedin 

TikTok 

 

Connect With Shonn Brown 

LinkedIn 

 

About Shonn Brown 

 

Shonn Brown, a strategic business leader with over two decades of trial law experience, joined Kimberly-Clark in 2019 as Chief Global Litigation Counsel. She has since transitioned to the inaugural legal advisor for global ESG and Sustainability matters. In this role, she focuses on addressing social and environmental challenges while aligning with Kimberly-Clark's commitments. Recognized by D CEO and the Dallas Business Journal for her leadership, Shonn is a zealous advocate for gender and racial equity, serving as Immediate Past Board Chair for th