When We Are Seen

How to Come Into Your Power—and Empower Others Along the Way

By: Denise Young

Narrated by: Denise Young

From one of the first and few women of color to reach the C-suite in Silicon Valley, Apple’s former chief of HR and first VP of inclusion and diversity, comes a heartfelt story of growing up Black and female in a world with little regard for either and a practical road map for embodying the best in yourself and emboldening others along the way.

“You will enjoy reading this book and benefit as a business leader but mostly as a member of the human race.”—Ron Johnson, business leader Apple, Target, JCPenney

For her work as a co-creator of the Apple Store cultural experience, Denise Young has been deemed by leadership experts as one of the most emotionally intelligent leaders of her era. In this stirring narrative, part-memoir, part blueprint for action, she shares her vision of what it means to be truly seen at our places of work. As a “first and only” woman of color in boardrooms and leading roles across the Bay Area’s booming tech industry, Denise was a trailblazer in a business that was never built for her. The first black and female senior executive under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Denise was often in “the room where it happened.” But within a white male-centric professional culture, she still had to work harder, smarter, and differently to be heard.

In When We Are Seen, Denise shares insights on using your own story, empathy, and intuition to unlock the potential in yourself and others. Her story serves as both solace and strategy for anyone who has ever felt left out, unseen, or ostracized; anyone interested in upending cycles of exclusion; and for those interested in reclaiming our agency in the ongoing quest to thrive and belong.

Denise argues that bringing your truest self to work—from wearing your beloved locs to sharing your artistic passion—and, in turn, holistically seeing the attributes others have to offer is not a passive experience; it is a specific skill we can and should build. And the result is a deeper understanding of what it means to be inclusive and powerfully human on the job.©2024 Denise Young (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Denise’s] perspective is timeless, unique, and the only way to truly create a culture that inspires the best in people and organizations. You will enjoy reading this book and benefit as a business leader but mostly as a member of the human race.” —Ron Johnson, business leader Apple, Target, JCPenney

“[Denise’s] understanding of cultures and the way they form and evolve is extraordinary.” —Jony Ive, chancellor of Royal College of Art

“Denise Young—a pioneer—has taken the time to give us a peak behind the curtain and a view of how to be successful while maintaining one’s integrity and grace. This book is a must-read.” —Terence Blanchard, Grammy award-winning musician and composer

Leadership. Ease of listening

This powerhouse leader has a way of checking your obliviousness and ignorance to cultural awareness and equality in a very comfortable yet uncomfortable way. I don’t know how she does it … but it truly makes me want to take action be a better person not only in a work environment ..but also with my community and family.

I Had Forgotten

Denise Young offers an "I See You" glimpse into one of the most secretive companies in the world. This account from her c- level experience at Apple offers views into the tech giant that never before have been offered. Denise takes you on a journey of her business and personal life sure to make you laugh,cry and think. Most of all, you will understand the challenges of carrying a torch of empathy, and caring in corporate America. If you have forgotten you need to be seen, this book will convince you to remember.

Unique, Creative and Vulnerable

Denise took us a journey as one of the firsts in Tech. She is creative and provides deep perspective as a Black Woman. Powerful.