Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In this third episode, we uncover the exciting journey of Maurice Blackwood, Vice President of Americas zSoftware and co-chair of the Black Executive Council within IBM. Maurice has 20+ years of experience at IBM, and while telling his story he truly demonstrates how executives are set up for success by a great support system of mentors, advisors, and leaders, as well as an environment of never-ending opportunities. He also elaborates on what true mentorship is for him, his strong belief in the need for work-life balance in order to thrive, and shares his tips: work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it. This episode also offers Maurice's reflections on what a diverse culture truly is and what a company can and should do more of to embrace it fully.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode three of Inspiring Voices
• [00:46 - 03:30] Why IBM and Why still here after 20+ years
• [03:40 - 05:47] Being co-chair of the Black Executive Council
• [05:47 - 10:10] Reflectons about diveristy and inclusion and what we could do more of
• [10:10 - 12:07] Being set up for success as a senior leader. Livning on the messy edge.
• [12:07 - 16:00] Reflections on mentorship and menteeship, and the importance of books as part of the equation.
• [16:00 - 19:22] Sources of inspiration
• [19:22 - 21:39] Opportunities for leaders, such as being on an acceleration team
• [21:39 - 23:08] About those pivotal moments
• [23:08 - 26:33] "You have to ensure a healthy work life balance"
• [26:33 - 29:42] Advise to the 21-year-old self, how to Work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it.