I feel like we’ve been in “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 101” class for decades now. Starting more than 30 years ago organizations first funded the “D” (diversity). Then when those programs didn’t diversify workforces enough, they added the “I” (inclusion) and more recently the “E” (equity) to...
Corporate Culture
How to be an Ally to Women of Color, and All Women
I so appreciate this conversation with Saundra Gilliard and the powerful women who participated in my interview with her. We discussed the complexities of setting up true and impactful alliances across racial lines between women. It turns out that the answer to the question, "How can I be a good...
Signs of a Toxic Boss: How Good People Can Succeed In the Executive Suite
I can’t tell you how many clients come to me with what they understand to be antithetical desires: executive success and authenticity. They’re very aware of the signs of a toxic boss and they don’t want to be that. They hope I can help them figure out how to be authentic, supportive of their team...
The Dirty Little Secret About Employee Engagement
As the job market gets tighter for employers in the ongoing wake of The Great Resignation, the watch word to mitigate staff turnover is employee engagement. Employee engagement has been a hot topic in Human Resource (HR) circles for the last decade as research continually shows strong correlations...
Executive Presence for Women: What does it even mean?
Discussions about how women can rise to the top have traditionally focused on discriminatory dynamics. And there are many of those dynamics to discuss, but that’s not all there is to it. In addition to navigating unconscious bias, harassment and discrimination, women often succeed by cultivating...
Executive Mindset: Advice for Women Leaders to Navigate the Glass Ceiling
Discussions of the “glass ceiling,” an invisible barrier to the progression of women (and other underrepresented leaders) from management to the executive ranks, has traditionally focused on discriminatory dynamics. But there’s more to the glass ceiling than discrimination. Executives who make it...
Pay Equity: Why it’s Critical to Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Key Takeaways: Equity in Pay Matters: Achieving pay equity is a crucial step in addressing social injustices and biases in the workplace, but it requires confronting discomfort around salary transparency. The Evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I): From diversity initiatives to...
Personal Branding Tips in the Modern Organization
Personal branding has been a thing now for over a decade, yet too many people still feel invisible where they work. How can that be with a wash of social feeds broadcasting us 24/7? Before social media, people had personal brands and called them “professional reputations.” I think it’s because...
2 Engagement Ideas for Employees in Growth Companies: Make it About You
As a leader you’re not supposed to tell your employees what to do. Instead you’re supposed to “engage” them. You’re supposed to motivate them and empower them and create a work culture that plugs them in, contributing to the health of the business. But how do you do that? What are the best...
3 Ways a Male Executive Can Help Create a Less Biased Corporate Culture
Dear Dana, I’ve recently been promoted to an executive position in my company and I read your article about how senior women can help change corporate culture regarding gender and sexual discrimination and harassment. In my new position, I now see things that are walking the line of sexism and...