Paul Richardson

Richardson’s natural patience and empathy for his team stems from his caring deeply about the company’s diversity goals. In fact, he champions minority advancement across the industry. He oversees ESPN’s human resource efforts involving 50 different business units and nearly 7000 employees worldwide. “A diversity and inclusion definition embraces the perspective that everyone matters,” he says. “Everyone’s voice and participation is welcome and is required to drive employee engagement, productivity and marketplace success.”

Best business advice you’ve received?

One of my most influential mentors was George Bodenheimer, former ESPN president and executive chairman, who defined leadership simply and profoundly. He said, that “leaders serve to make those around them better.” Implicit in his words was the strong advice that good leaders are those who share information, empower and inspire their people, and they act in the best interest of others. On the strength of these words, I have attempted to make my leadership as broad and inclusive as possible.

How do you define diversity?

A diversity and inclusion definition embraces the perspective that everyone matters. Everyone’s voice and participation is welcomed and is required to drive employee engagement, productivity and marketplace success. It expands beyond traditional categories and unleashes the collective and unique power, talents, background and abilities of the individual.

How can cable better support diversity?

The cable industry has the opportunity to continue to diversify its workforce at every level, to develop our teams to their full potential and to ensure that our content, products and services broadly reflect the diverse audience that we serve.