The Top Talent Challenge

In 2006, Anne Erni was in love—with her job. “I was in an organization that really valued what I was doing,” recalls the former chief diversity officer of Lehman Brothers. “I was getting so much positive feedback from every part of the firm. It was such an amazing adrenaline rush.”

That rush carried Erni through workweeks that involved back-to-back meetings followed by elevenhour days when, she says, “I would have to deliver what I promised in those meetings.” At least one night a week, Erni had a speaking engagement or a professional dinner to attend, and at least one night, she stayed at work until midnight and then faced the commute back to New Jersey, her husband, and two kids.

Her hefty paycheck only reinforced ...

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