86: Navigating Bias and Embracing Identity in Corporate Spaces with Dr. Delia Grenville
04/11/25 • 49 min
Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating bias and embracing identity in corporate spaces with Dr. Delia Grenville, an executive leader, integral coach, and TEDx speaker. Discover how you can take control of your success and find the right environment for growth, all while holding space for those who come after you.
Delia is a strategic powerhouse with a PhD in industrial and systems engineering. She's an award-winning technologist and innovator and was honored as the Woman of Color STEM Technologist of the Year. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Slyn Consulting and Workplace Respect Network and focuses on individual and organizational transformation.
Key Discussion Points:
02:59 Embracing Your Identity: Being comfortable in your values, having a stand for who you are, and knowing what you'll tolerate is empowering because then, no matter what room you walk into, nobody can tell you who you are.
15:36 Recognizing Bias: When you see bias in a space, believe it. Don’t let it destroy or distract you.
24:50 Finding the Right Corporate Environment for Growth: There are infinite opportunities in corporate, and you don’t have to be loyal to a single company. If the space you are in is preventing you from growing, find a new space.
29:36 Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Pay attention to the stories you are telling yourself. Are these facts, or are they an emotional response to a situation?
35:59 Holding Space as an “Only”: Sometimes, your mere presence in a space opens a door and holds the space for the people coming behind you. Your mission is to take up space so that space can expand for others.
40:53 Taking Control of Your Success: Your success starts and ends with you. You are one decision away from changing your narrative.
In Summary: Delia Grenville encourages us to stand true to who we are, recognize bias, and find the right environment for us to thrive in. She urges us to challenge the narratives we tell ourselves, take up space, and take control of our success.
Resources from this episode:
Follow Delia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Check out this picture of Delia in Grade 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrzB-J-PX4z/
To Live List Podcast: https://www.deliagrenville.com/podcast
Rants + Ramblings On Life and Wellness by Delia Grenville
If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.
Connect with your hosts:
Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin,
Ready to make a change?
→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals?
Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.
Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating bias and embracing identity in corporate spaces with Dr. Delia Grenville, an executive leader, integral coach, and TEDx speaker. Discover how you can take control of your success and find the right environment for growth, all while holding space for those who come after you.
Delia is a strategic powerhouse with a PhD in industrial and systems engineering. She's an award-winning technologist and innovator and was honored as the Woman of Color STEM Technologist of the Year. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Slyn Consulting and Workplace Respect Network and focuses on individual and organizational transformation.
Key Discussion Points:
02:59 Embracing Your Identity: Being comfortable in your values, having a stand for who you are, and knowing what you'll tolerate is empowering because then, no matter what room you walk into, nobody can tell you who you are.
15:36 Recognizing Bias: When you see bias in a space, believe it. Don’t let it destroy or distract you.
24:50 Finding the Right Corporate Environment for Growth: There are infinite opportunities in corporate, and you don’t have to be loyal to a single company. If the space you are in is preventing you from growing, find a new space.
29:36 Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Pay attention to the stories you are telling yourself. Are these facts, or are they an emotional response to a situation?
35:59 Holding Space as an “Only”: Sometimes, your mere presence in a space opens a door and holds the space for the people coming behind you. Your mission is to take up space so that space can expand for others.
40:53 Taking Control of Your Success: Your success starts and ends with you. You are one decision away from changing your narrative.
In Summary: Delia Grenville encourages us to stand true to who we are, recognize bias, and find the right environment for us to thrive in. She urges us to challenge the narratives we tell ourselves, take up space, and take control of our success.
Resources from this episode:
Follow Delia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Check out this picture of Delia in Grade 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrzB-J-PX4z/
To Live List Podcast: https://www.deliagrenville.com/podcast
Rants + Ramblings On Life and Wellness by Delia Grenville
If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.
Connect with your hosts:
Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin,
Ready to make a change?
→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals?
Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.
→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.
Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.
Previous Episode
IM23: How to Find Belonging in Unexpected Places with Rupal Patel
Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 63, with guest Rupal Patel. As an “only” it can be easy to walk into spaces and feel like you don’t belong. In reality, you can find belonging and commonality in the most unexpected places. Rupal is sharing how in this episode.
Rupal’s career is notably defined by her remarkable tenure at the CIA where she was recognized by the CIA Director for “superior support to the President of the United States.” She transitioned from her impactful career at the CIA and leveraged her insights and strategic acumen into the business world. Rupal is also the best-selling author of From CIA To CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better and Being Bolder.
This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 63: From CIA to CEO - Thriving in an Unpredictable World.
Key Discussion Points:
00:58 Understanding Belonging: If you walk into a situation thinking you don’t belong there, you will find many data points that support that narrative. The same is true if you think you do belong there.
02:52 Finding Commonality with Unlikely People: If you are willing to look at the data and engage with different people, you will find things in common even in people you think are extremely different from you.
04:11 Shifting Perspective: We are so focused on ourselves and trying to fit in that it’s hard to understand that other people are experiencing the exact same things.
07:10 Overcoming Defensive Postures: When walking into a space as an “only” don’t subject yourself to the belief that you need to show up in defense to protect who you are and what you believe in.
In Summary: Rupal Patel encourages us to try to find belonging and commonality in the unlikeliest of places. She urges us to shift our perspective away from ourselves and realize that other people may be feeling the same as us.
Resources from this episode:
Follow Rupal on LinkedIn or visit her website.
From CIA To CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better and Being Bolder by Rupal Patel
My Unexpected Discovery About Working at the CIA | Rupal Patel | TEDxManchester
If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/
Connect with your hosts:
Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.
________
Produced by Ideablossoms
Next Episode
IM24: How to Leverage Your Lived Experience for Corporate Success with Shiva Roofeh
Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 64 with guest Shiva Roofeh. Do you value your work experience and education over your lived experience in corporate spaces? Shiva is here to tell you why you shouldn’t.
Shiva is a culture creator and learning design specialist. She's worked at all levels of organizations, from director to individual contributor. In her personal life, she has been a refugee, an immigrant, and a migrant. Shiva says that her lived experience is as valuable as her work experience, and she leverages both to create mile-deep change and relationships with and for her clients.
This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 64: Cultural Intelligence in Corporate Spaces.
Key Discussion Points:
00:59 Embracing Cultural Intelligence: Cultural intelligence is about understanding your paradigms. What are the deep-seated beliefs that structure your understanding of the world that then lead to your behaviors?
04:35 Valuing Your Lived Experience in Corporate Spaces: Your lived experience is as valuable as your work experience and your education. It is a unique perspective that informs your work.
06:50 Understanding Your Origin Story: You are the only person who knows the full depth and nuance of your story. Take the time to understand it and give yourself credit for it.
In Summary: Shiva Roofeh encourages us to embrace our unique lived experience in corporate spaces. She urges us to take the time to understand our own origin stories and realize just how valuable they are to informing our work.
Resources from this episode:
Follow Shiva on LinkedIn or visit her website.
If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/
Connect with your hosts:
Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.
Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.
_________
Produced by Ideablossoms
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