We are trying to ensure our organizations are as inclusive and equitable as humanly possible but do you worry that by implementing a D&I strategy that you could fail and that will reflect poorly on your leadership? Are you struggling to figure out how to create financial gains from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives? Are you looking for ways to create a sense of belonging and avoid any harassment issues at your workplace?
In HRchat episode 271 we focus on how leaders can drive a lasting shift in workplace culture that’ll engage employees and lead to higher economic returns.
My guest is Kelly Cooper, Founder, and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence. Kelly’s experience spans from most often being the “token” female in her early days working in a science and engineering firm to being on the Canadian delegation for UN meetings where the world first united to address gender diversity in the 1990s, to starting her own business to shed light on this important topic. Each step of her career journey is peppered with challenges in the workplace from sexual harassment to pay inequity, which she eventually overcame by diplomatically clarifying boundaries, finding her voice, and working with the leadership to affect change.
Listen to HRchat episode 271 as we discuss:
- The Centre for Social Intelligence focuses on eliminating resistance to D&I. How is this done and what can that resistance look like?
- What is the difference between traditional leadership and inclusive leadership?
- How does inclusive leadership creates a sense of belonging?
- In terms of the HR function and corporate mandates, what has actually changed about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in the past year?
Kelly recently published a book called “Lead the Change – The Competitive Advantage of Gender Diversity and Inclusion”(GDI), that targets the C-suite to explain the value proposition of GDI and provides a blueprint for how to take action. It is an easy to understand read that takes away the mumbo jumbo on this topic and succinctly explains the business advantage of taking action on this important workplace culture shift.
This episode is supported by the Centre for Social Intelligence.