45. Rania Hoteit on Creating Workplace Equity and Dignity Through Revolutionary Technology

Purpose and Profit with Kathy Varol

Rania Hoteit is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and global impact leader. As Founder and former CEO of ID4A Technologies, Rania built a global company that is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ID4A Technologies has been revolutionizing the manufacturing processes while creating significant environmental, economic and social impact.

Under Rania’s leadership, ID4A was recognized by the White House Office of Science and Technology for “Fostering The Development of Advanced Manufacturing in the US and The World”; ranked on Entrepreneur 360's list of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America”; included in the Inc. 5000 List of “America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies”; received the Real Leaders “100 Top Impact Companies” Award; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2021 Citizens Awards for "Best Economic Opportunity and Empowerment Program.”

In this episode we discuss:

• The importance of diversity at the highest level of an organization
• The missing narrative of the positive impact artificial intelligence can have on employment
• Why Modern Day Slavery persists in global supply chains
• The role of dignity and accountability in leadership

Key Takeaways:

• An underlying theme throughout this discussion was the importance of training and upskilling. This means investing in individuals. That individual employee investment is also an investment in the future of your organization. But this investment shouldn’t be limited to equipping individuals to take on new roles as technology shifts what skills are required and in demand. It also needs to be extended in ways that will enable your organization to achieve diversity across seniority levels. As the saying goes “a rising tide lifts all ships”, but what history has blatantly taught us is that systemic biases are making it so only some ships rise with the tide. To get a different outcome, a different approach is required.
• Your values shape your priorities, and your priorities shape your corporate culture. Take a look at your culture. What are the values and priorities that drive it? If you say “diversity and inclusion” is a core part of your organization, but you don’t see diversity and inclusion reflected in the culture and across senior leadership, then it’s clearly not a value or a priority. If something truly matters to your senior leaders, they’ll prioritize it and figure out a way to make it happen. If it’s not reflected in the culture, then it’s just lip service.
• Have you heard the saying that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with? This saying communicates how we absorb the norms of those around us, so we should be intentional about who we choose to spend our time with. The same could be said for organizations. Think about the partners up and down your supply chain. Assume that their norms will rub off on your workforce, because they will. Do these partners meet the standards that you believe in for your company? Are you stronger together, helping each other become more transparent and ethical businesses? Or, are you enabling practices to continue that you don’t agree with? Complicity means accountability. Who we choose to partner with is a vote for what we approve of. Each of us is accountable for our choices, so make them wisely.

References:

Connect with Rania on LinkedIn

Learn more about the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 5, 8, 9, 10, and 12 that Rania mentions, here.

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