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Managing Hiring and Layoffs? Use an Equity Lens
Many businesses and organizations are announcing furloughs and layoffs as a result of the economic upheavals caused by the pandemic. As America faces a profound time of racial reckoning while in the midst of a pandemic, now is precisely the right time to focus our Equity Lens intently on hiring and firing practices. It’s no time for excuses. I’ve heard many say: “Given the pandemic, we don’t have time to look into hiring practices.” That’s just using a laziness lens. As Diana Noriega, Assistant Executive Director of Anti-Racism and Equity at Good Shepherd Services stated on my recent radio show: “Crisis accelerates the process of the work. People get comfortable…
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Using Whiteness Accountability Spaces to Disrupt and Unlearn Racial Biases & Actions
Now more than ever, it’s critical that whites effectively partner with People of Color and other whites to interrupt racist dynamics to create more racially just, inclusive organizations. One of the most effective ways I know of to accomplish this is to begin by facilitating Whiteness Accountability Spaces in our organizations. Are you ready to deepen your capacity – and choose courage – by recognizing white privilege, getting honest about how you were socialized in a sea of racist attitudes and ways you may still react out of these? Are you committed to learn how to create racially just organizations and choose courage to disrupt daily racist dynamics? It…
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How to Design an Online Training Session on Foundational EDI
Given the fears and restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic, someone asked a great question recently: How might you effectively design an online foundational EDI training that still fosters a productive, engaging learning environment? The Nuts & Bolts: Design an Effective Online Training Event For starters, make sure you have the right technological infrastructure in place to give you the flexibility to design meaningful engagement, including breakout rooms, chat and Q&A functions, poll function, and a raise hand feature to bring people into the conversation live. To date, the longest online session I have facilitated is about 2 hours. If you plan for longer sessions, be sure to schedule…
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COVID Pandemic: A Threat to EDI Efforts – or an Opportunity for Leaders to Innovate?
“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” ― Kenji Miyazawa Our mission as change agents has never been tougher. The global crisis caused by the pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. While we have heard and witnessed many acts of kindness and goodwill, the ugliness of racist slurs, longstanding prejudices and hatreds has ballooned as some look to lay blame for what has happened. Consequential to the Pandemic, Deep Inequities Become Obvious The pandemic has spotlighted the cracks and brought to the surface the inequities that are in our current system. Let us embrace this time for thoughtful analysis and to think…
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Strategies for Leaders to Use an Inclusion Lens in Crisis Management
It is imperative during this global crisis that we work TOGETHER to move forward. In these unprecedented times, as leaders are in crisis management mode, making urgent decisions that have significant impact on employees and those they serve, it’s essential to ensure that everyone is included in plans to rise above this pandemic. Working together means using an Equity & Inclusion Lens as we make decisions, plan programs, and develop services to live our lives amidst the hidden threats of an unseen virus. I’ll be sharing proven and helpful tactics for using an Inclusion Lens in my upcoming webinar, “Strategies to Use an Inclusion Lens in Crisis Management,”…
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Inclusion INTENTIONS Aren’t Enough: Follow Up with Real ACTIONS
When it comes to creating inclusive environments for everyone – places where each and every person, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, sexuality or type of position, feels comfortable, respected and valued – each of us has personal intentions on how we’d like to get there. Problem is, intentions aren’t enough. We must do the work. Perhaps at no other point in time has this been more crucial. The Journey to Inclusive Environments is a LONG Haul And I don’t have to tell you: it can be hard work. Undoing centuries of white, male, heterosexual, and cisgender privilege can’t be done in one or a few work sessions.…
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Diversity & Inclusion Training: A Long Road Filled with Obstacles
You’ve often heard me say that when it comes to diversity, equity & inclusion, I’m in it for the long haul. It’s so true a statement that I wrote a book with that very same title. Why? Because it’s a goal that cannot be accomplished during one employee training session. Diversity, equity & inclusion training can be tough work. But it’s urgently needed – now more than ever before, as our world faces unprecedented times. It’s vital for organizational success and for future generations. We need to press on with our efforts – and be aware of (and avoid) the potholes and roadblocks along our way. “We…
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Diversity Workshops: Foundations for Meaningful Change or Just Fluff?
“I hate diversity workshops. Real change comes from having enough comfort to be really honest and say something very uncomfortable.” – Michelle Obama This powerful quote by Michelle Obama illustrates that we needn’t wait for mandatory training or once-a-year workshops to start tough conversations around diversity and inclusion in our organizations. Indeed, real change is sparked when we are comfortable enough to get uncomfortable to engage in honest dialogue. But starting the conversation is just the beginning… Diversity Workshops – A Foundation for Change For meaningful, sustainable change, delving into how we came to be a society of exclusion instead of inclusion provides a relevant base upon which…
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How Racially Inclusive is Your Organization During This Crisis?
These times are unprecedented in our lifetime. They’re unexpected, uncertain, incredibly turbulent. Panic seems the prevalent approach to each moment. It’s a time when, if we take our eyes off the ball around racial justice, racism is going to continue to flare up everywhere… What Grade Would Your Organization Earn for Racial Inclusivity? There are courageous people reaching out to other people – but who? Are we reaching out across races? Are the resources really being set up for all – or just for folks who already have a lot of access and privilege? Are some groups afraid to come forward to help – or to ask for…
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In Life, Change Is the Only Certainty
In what seemed an instant, our lives were changed. Most of us still have the look on our faces of a deer caught in the blinding glare of oncoming headlights. Our faces show it. Our insides feel it. Suddenly, the fabric of our daily lives was torn away in ways never before experienced: schools closed, businesses shuttered and working from home has become the new normal, for many. And a concept our world never contemplated – social distancing- has become almost a law. Cities in lockdown, no hand shaking, no close contact. In a world so social, we are locked down, sheltering in place. And for many, this could…
