I was on vacation when I heard about the resignation of Dr. Claudine Gay after only six months as Harvard’s first Black president. It’s been bothering me ever since, and…
Browsing CategoryDEIB
When being labeled “the first” detracts from genuine belonging
Executive Summary: Celebrating “firsts” can signal important change, but can also: Encourage counterproductive assumptions Sideline what people really bring to the table Distract from genuine belonging A couple of…
Black History Month, Revisited: Have Things Gotten Better for Black Employees?
Last February, I wrote a newsletter on Leading Below the Surface during Black History Month that addressed the question: Have things truly gotten better for Black employees? One year later, the question…
Your Approach to Developing Managers is Outdated: Here’s What to Do About It
Over the last month, I’ve spoken with several organizations still expressing that their DEIB efforts are not resonating with managers. They acknowledged that while leaders are learning to speak the…
2022 Pride Month Roundup
During Pride Month 2022, not only did I end up with keynote bookings in the double digits, but I also noticed that the energy was a bit different from last…
Your Company’s Pride Programming Speaks Volumes About Your Culture
Every year during the month of June, more and more companies are recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride. Many release marketing campaigns dripping with rainbow colors, and some bring the celebration inside the organization to…
Three Essential Below the Surface Tactics for Equitable Meeting and Group Facilitation
I wrote a LinkedIn post a while back about a fascinating experience I had at a corporate retreat—not as a participant, but as the facilitator. The context: I facilitated a…
Why Your Leadership Development Programs Are Holding You Back From Creating a Culture of Belonging
Take out a sheet of paper and let’s do a quick reflection. The prompt: who’s on the leadership team in your organization? Identify each person and consider the following questions:…
The Role of Intersectionality in Women’s History Month: How to Support ALL Women Employees
It’s Women’s History Month again, and just like Black History Month in February, I’ve received a lot of speaking inquiries for this occasion. Specifically, International Women’s Day on March 8—and the theme…
Have Things Truly “Gotten Better” for Black Employees?
This May will mark two years from the police killing of George Floyd, which caught the attention of not just the American people, but corporate leaders struggling to connect with…