Let's Get Proximate - Powering an Inclusive Future with Alex Allen and Callie McKee

On the season finale, hosts Alex Allen and Callie McKee look back on some of the cutting-edge conversations of the season. With their colleagues at Cisco, they explore identity and inclusivity and dive into challenging and reshaping perceptions. The conversation urges a move past binary thinking to embrace human complexity.

Key talking points include the following:

- Rachel Sisco on being an Asian adoptee in a predominantly white community.

- Mary Fernandez on “accessible” entrances subtly enforcing disability stigma.

- Jack Naidoo recalls early racial awareness in his career.

- Callie stresses self-awareness in recognizing biases.

- Alex underscores leadership’s role in valuing diversity.

- Jim Jones notes his change in perspective through Cisco’s “proximity initiative.”

- Callie urges ongoing dialogue for societal change.

- Alex and Callie discuss the role of language in workplace inclusivity.

- Gloria Goins shares her continuous learning about biases and inclusion.

- Callie and Alex discuss empathy’s role in appreciating diverse views.

In recognizing the depth and diversity within ourselves, we can effectively address bias and discrimination, fostering both personal development and a more inclusive workplace environment.

You can find a human-verified transcript of this episode here. - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PrZydGrZG5ZCXtmgnyFUl9Ra47AhljBlo0fL88kkC5A/edit?usp=sharing

Alex Allen -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-allen-a4334210/

Callie McKee -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-mckee/

Thanks for listening to the Let’s Get Proximate podcast, powered by Cisco. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#DEI #Diversity #Innovation #Transformation

Greater awareness of the unique struggles of people with different life experiences is the first step in facilitating true inclusion and belonging.

On this episode, host Callie McKee is joined by Mary Fernandez, Lead Disability Inclusion Consultant and Equity and Fairness Consultant at Cisco. Mary shares her perspective on how education is foundational to inclusion.

As a blind person, Mary has a ground-level understanding of what the disabled community needs from allies. Here are some of her thoughts on the subject:

- Education is each individual’s responsibility, and a disabled person is not required to be an open book about their disability.

- Non-disabled people should make intentional efforts to make accessibility considerations. A disabled person has no choice but to think about accessibility.

- Inclusion is not the same as accommodation — something that is technically accommodating may still be exclusive and even degrading.

Self-education is a great first step in becoming an ally to those with different needs.

Mary Fernandez -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-fernandez-23a0a644/

Cisco | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/

Cisco | Website -

https://www.cisco.com/

Alex Allen -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-allen-a4334210/

Callie McKee -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-mckee/

You can find a human-verified transcript of this episode here. - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JoZUkkINHGgdja9MCir_pgDoxz0AHmlyuLushhIGl_o/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for listening to the Let’s Get Proximate podcast, powered by Cisco. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#DEI #diversity #innovation #transformation

Becoming aware of race and the challenges involved can be an incredibly difficult process, and this is even truer in countries where inequality is deeply ingrained.

On this episode, we chat with Jack Naidoo, People and Communities Leader at Cisco. Jack is a fierce advocate for DEI in all he does and is driven by his experiences growing up in a divided and racist South Africa.

We dive into a ton of different topics, including:

- Jack’s background and the experiences that led him to where he is today.

- Becoming aware of his race in the cultural context of South Africa.

- Jack’s experience having different names and deciding which one to use professionally.

- Some of the challenges Jack has faced in his career.

- The importance of getting proximate and learning about differences to overcome false narratives around people of color.

- What are some of the barriers to creating a more inclusive society where everyone can be their most authentic selves?

- Jack’s experience working and promoting DEI across three continents.

Jack Naidoo -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-naidoo-077b8365/

Cisco | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/

Cisco | Website -

https://www.cisco.com/

Alex Allen -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-allen-a4334210/

Callie McKee -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-mckee/

You can find a human-verified transcript of this episode here. - https://docs.google.com/document/d/16qmkpz8Gpn18taT1XwrffxGLR5U6JAeofJOr4aMThNA/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for listening to the Let’s Get Proximate podcast, powered by Cisco. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#DEI #Diversity #Innovation #Transformation

To create a truly inclusive community, leaders have to maintain a posture of humility and remember that there’s always something new to learn.

On this episode, hosts Alex Allen and Callie McKee are joined by Laércio Albuquerque, Vice President of Cisco Latin America, who explains what it’s like to be “under construction” as a leader who consistently tries to build themselves into something better.

To continue a journey of growth, Laėrcio offers wisdom to his fellow leaders:

- Remove the cloud of judgment from your eyes so that you can see other people clearly.

- Never think you’ve learned everything there is to know about a person or community. They will always have something new to teach you.

- Never let a person’s position or title (or lack thereof) color your perception of them, or alter the level of respect you give them.

This humble mindset is the first step in becoming a truly inclusive leader.

Laércio Albuquerque -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laercioabq/

Cisco | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/

Cisco | Website -

https://www.cisco.com/

Alex Allen -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-allen-a4334210/

Callie McKee -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-mckee/

You can find a human-verified transcript of this episode here. - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c2CeDJbslXNX6Ccw0rzZ7OZIbTaiRrGH6amRyXq-hPA/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for listening to the Let’s Get Proximate podcast, powered by Cisco. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#DEI #diversity #innovation #transformation

Welcome to a brand-new Cisco podcast that’s all about getting proximate with ourselves and with those of different identities, perspectives and experiences.

On this first episode, hosts and Cisco team members Alex Allen, Senior Director, People & Communities, and Callie McKee, DEI Learning and Development Consultant, introduce themselves and discuss what “getting proximate” means, namely:

- Listening to the stories and experiences of others with openness and a desire to learn.

- Paying attention to the ways our own experiences have shaped our biases and assumptions about the world.

- Cultivating an attitude of humility and a willingness to accept correction when our biases cause us to dismiss the stories of others.

- Leading with a posture of inclusion. The more we can appreciate differences in our team, the more naturally inclusive our leadership becomes.

Proximity should lead to meaningful action that drives positive organizational change. Getting proximate is about listening, learning, and cultivating a more inclusive and conscious culture.

Alex Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-allen-a4334210/

Callie McKee - https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-mckee/

Cisco - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/

You can find a human-verified transcript of this episode here. - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sICw2mZQPlBoSXuW4D8SNiJIYrsr2lj04UX0ZB41Pz0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for listening to the Let’s Get Proximate podcast, powered by Cisco. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.

#DEI #diversity #innovation #transformation