What comes up for you when you hear about Diversity Equity and Inclusion or DE&I? A number of thoughts could come to mind. If you are like me, I thought to myself that I naturally act in a way that embraces diversity, practices inclusion, and supports equity. However, in reading and listening about this topic, I understand that we are all blind in some areas when it comes to DE&I because it is part of human nature to over-generalize, to categorize, to judge.
In listening to the Unlocking Us podcast (Brené Brown, 2020), BetterUp recordings, and reading current articles and literature, I am increasing my knowledge of and awareness about this. This is what it takes, new learning about history and about current states of intersectionality – the intersection of marginalized groups based on race, gender, gender preference, traditional status, authority level, and more.
When I think about unconscious bias, I think of the SEEDS model. The SEEDS Model attempts to explain the well over 150 types of bias that we have. In considering SEEDS, I can reflect, see where I may be biased, and then make a conscious choice to experiment differently going forward.
How is our amplified focus on DE&I impacting you? What, if anything, are your thoughts about it and/or are you doing differently as a result? Following are some resources for those who are interested.
Podcasts:
Stitcher – Confronting Bias in the Workplace – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wondery/safe-for-work/e/56183716
Unlocking Us
- How to be an Antiracist https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/
- Still Here: Black dignity in a world made for whiteness https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-austin-channing-brown-on-im-still-here-black-dignity-in-a-world-made-for-whiteness/
- Transgender Representation Advocacy: The power of love https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-laverne-cox-on-transgender-representation-advocacy-the-power-of-love/
Webinar Recording: BetterUp – The Value of Belonging at Work: the business case for investing in workplace inclusion
Articles:
Harvard Business Review – How to Be an Inclusive Leadershio Through a Crisis – https://hbr.org/2020/04/how-to-be-an-inclusive-leader-through-a-crisis
YW Boston – What is intersectionality, and what does it have to do with me?
Paper: SEEDS Model – NeuroLeadership Institute https://www.scn.ucla.edu/pdf/Lieberman(2015)Neuroleadership.pdf
I hope you enjoy these resources, that they provide increased insight for you, and that the SEEDS model gives you a way of increasing awareness and trying new strategies therefrom.
Yours in learning,
Jamie
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