Ginni Rometty begins a new chapter at IBM

April 14, 2020

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduces a bill of rights for essential workers, coronavirus restrictions on abortion may head to the Supreme Court, and we hear from IBM’s Ginni Rometty in her new role as executive chairman. Have a nice Tuesday.

– Leaders on leaders. Last month, Fortune debuted the podcast Leadership Next. Our CEO Alan Murray interviews different business leaders, from Microsoft’s Satya Nadella to Starbucks’s Kevin Johnson.

On today’s episode, Alan talks to IBM executive chairman Ginni Rometty, who recently left her role as chief executive of the $79.6 billion legacy tech giant. Announced in January, Rometty’s departure was notable not just because it lowered the number of women running Fortune 500 companies; Rometty was one of vanishingly few women to run a tech company anywhere near that size.

Just over two months later, the world looks different than it did when Rometty announced her plans. Like all companies, IBM is now dealing with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Rometty has an interesting analogy for how workers might re-skill—a favorite topic of IBM’s—and recover from the crisis.

“When you throw a deck of cards into the air, everyone’s not going to land back in the same spot,” Rometty says of mass unemployment. “Yes, some will return to the jobs they had, but [for] many others, the job may not exist.”

The pair also discuss the Business Roundtable mission statement, now prioritizing consumers and employees rather than only shareholders, which Rometty played a crucial role in crafting. She says that “without a doubt,” the organization was trying to change corporate behavior with the overhauled mission statement—but that she has to operate with more “shades of grey” than the “black and white” she thinks others can use to describe the decision.

Listen and subscribe here.

Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe

ALSO IN THE HEADLINES

- Rapid response. Fortune is updating running lists of how Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies are responding to the coronavirus crisis. From extended paid leave at American Express and Target to General Motors' ventilators, read through for the latest on how companies are protecting their businesses, supporting their employees, and contributing to the virus-fighting effort.

- Getting uncomfortable. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighed in on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. They've never spoken, but Ocasio-Cortez says that the process of coming together for the left and center wings of the Democratic Party "should be uncomfortable for everyone involved." "If Biden is only doing things he’s comfortable with, then it’s not enough," she added. New York Times

- Bill of rights. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ro Khanna introduced a 10-point "bill of rights" calling on Congress to ensure higher wages, universal paid sick leave, and job security for all essential workers during the coronavirus crisis. The proposal would cover gig workers, grocery store employees, childcare providers, and more. Washington Post

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: AutoNation CEO Cheryl Miller is taking a leave of absence for health reasons. Kara Swisher will become editor-at-large of New York magazine.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

- Double duty. Katrina Robinson has two jobs: Tennessee state senator and intensive care nurse. When New York put out the call for healthcare workers to assist with the coronavirus outbreak, she drove up north to contribute. "I just came here to work," the lawmaker says. WREG

- Decision time. Texas abortion providers asked the Supreme Court to consider the state's coronavirus ban on surgical abortions. The restrictions are still in place after a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. New York Times

- Right-hand woman. When New York residents and plenty of others tune into Gov. Andrew Cuomo's briefings every morning, they see Melissa DeRosa sitting on his left. DeRosa is secretary to the governor—the highest appointed position in the state—and she strategizes with state departments, analyzes hospital numbers, and briefs Cuomo. Elle

- Leaving a legacy. Hollywood is at a historic point: there's a "critical mass" of black actresses, many near 50 or older, who are among the most successful actors working in the entertainment industry. This piece, part of the NYT Magazine's culture issue, features Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Kimberly Elise, Taraji P. Henson, and Lynn Whitfield. New York Times

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