How Identity Influenced a Managing Director and Founder's Career at Chilli Pepper Development
Pete's perspective as a white male has significantly evolved over his career, particularly in the last decade, with increased awareness of identity impacting his thinking and actions within the mental health and EDI fields. The realization of past unconscious biases, coupled with a new awareness of environmental impact, has driven a shift toward actively counterbalancing past actions and promoting positive change.
Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Ethical Dilemmas, Environmental Awareness, Self-Reflection
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Pete Starr
Managing Director and Founder
Chilli Pepper Development Ltd
None
N/A
General Studies / Not Applicable
Coaching, Speaking & Writing
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Pete's career has been significantly shaped by his increased awareness of identity and its impact, particularly in the last 10 years.
2. His work in mental health and equality, diversity, and inclusion has challenged his own thinking and actions.
3. His personal reflection on his past actions' environmental impact drives his current efforts to mitigate it and promotes sustainable practices in his professional life
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a white male, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Our work is heavily based on psychology and how we think. This has really driven how we operate and our impact, especially in the last 10 years.
I'm a middle-aged guy. For the first 30 to 35 years of my life, I was oblivious to identity and other related issues. Now, being aware of them, especially in the context of our work in mental health, equality, diversity, and inclusion, challenges my own thinking.
It makes me question why I think and act in certain ways. In terms of my career, this awareness has opened my eyes to how things have changed from the past to the present.
I grew up in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, a time when people didn't prioritize environmental impact. Now, I realize my own actions have contributed significantly to environmental issues.
This has led me to consider what I can personally do now to counterbalance that impact through my future actions. I believe this is where my identity has developed, changed my way of thinking, and opened my eyes.