It’s been a busy year for the cable industry’s largest lobbying group, and Powell has been a prominent voice on everything from the Biden infrastructure plan to the push toward 10G. He continues advocating for efforts that promise to put a sizable dent in the digital divide, including a permanent direct subsidy for low-income families in need of broadband and connected devices. Powell has long been a vocal supporter of the industry’s DEI efforts, and was especially impressed by NCTA members’ actions during the social unrest of the summer of 2020. “It’s been a very tough year for workforce issues in general because of the pandemic,” he says. “I was proud to see so many of our companies step up with financial, human and content resources in the move toward social justice and equity in 2020, and we should root for all of those initiatives to continue and grow.” The former FCC chairman is well-respected outside of the industry as well: he was elected chair of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees in February.
Do you think there has been significant progress on DEI in the industry in the past year?
It’s been a very tough year for workforce issues in general because of the pandemic. Despite the challenges, I think the companies in our sector have done a phenomenal job keeping their employees engaged. I was proud to see so many of our companies step up with financial, human, and content resources in the move toward social justice and equity in 2020, and we should root for all of those initiatives to continue and grow.
Who deserves a biopic made about their life and why?
Two great candidates from 2021 are Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka – world-class athletes of color who through humility and self-deprecation have opened a critical window on the importance of mental health in our lives. I’d like to learn more about how they became the people they are today, and what special sauce has enabled them to inspire a generation to overcome the stigma of mental illness and focus on the significance of mental and emotional wellbeing to success in life.
What’s been the most dramatic change in your sector of the business today vs three years ago?
We specialize in public policy, advocacy, and storytelling, and the evolution in those areas that accompanied the advent of the digital age has only escalated over the past three years. Social media platforms have provided whole new canvasses for our messaging, and they’ve created more and timely communication channels through which we can reach policymakers. Tools now in wider use, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, provide us with efficient ways to talk with federal, state, and local policymakers and opinion leaders, without having to stand in line in the U.S. or state Capitol buildings.
My best advice for fostering open, honest communication…
It’s important to communicate beyond the “chain of command.” Too often we fall into the trap of connecting only with those who report to us, or with our immediate supervisors. When that happens, we forego the true strengths and benefits of diverse companies and teams. An immense amount of creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking lives beyond senior leadership teams, at all levels of our organizations.