The need for accountability in the tech industry

In this video, Jennifer discusses the importance of practising accountability both as an individual and as an organisation and how through processes of accountability, honesty and transparency we can help people grow within the industry.

You may come across some terms in this video that might be new:

C-Suite

Investopedia states: C-suite refers to the executive-level managers within a company. Common c-suite executives include chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), and chief information officer (CIO) (1)

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

Investopedia states: “A non-disclosure agreement is a legally binding contract that establishes a confidential relationship. The party or parties signing the agreement agree that sensitive information they may obtain will not be made available to any others. An NDA may also be referred to as a confidentiality agreement.” (2)

Holding ourselves accountable

As Jennifer discusses, it’s important that we hold ourselves accountable for our actions and understand that what we do and say has implications in wider society.

It’s equally important that organisations hold themselves accountable for their actions and are willing to admit where they’ve made mistakes and where they need to make improvements.

Management has a role to play

While we too can hold the organisations we work for accountable, the responsibility should not be solely on individuals, especially if those individuals are already under-represented within that company. Management should invest in their employees and hold themselves accountable.

Jennifer is honest about her journey in tech as a Black woman and believes that if more people and organisations are honest about their stories too we can work towards more equitable futures for everyone.

References:

1. Investopedia. C-suite.
2. Investopedia. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)