CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER / ABBOTT LABORATORIES
MILES D. WHITE

From our 2004 Census

What can be done to accelerate positive change?

Culture change always requires multiple factors working together. There must be a shared set of principles and goals. These ideas must be consistently communicated. Programs and systems that focus on creating the desired change must be put in place. Leaders must develop systems for accountability.

What is the value of recruiting women to your board and senior team?

I'll point out the obvious: if you're not working to recruit women into leadership positions, you're leaving half of the talent pool untapped. If you want to ensure female representation at the top, you need to build a talent pool to draw from throughout your organization.