The Creating Belonging Podcast - S2E3 Unveiling True Self: The Journey from Conformity to Authentic Leadership

S2E3 Unveiling True Self: The Journey from Conformity to Authentic Leadership

02/21/24 • 26 min

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Have you ever found yourself donning a mask just to blend in with the crowd, suppressing your true self for the sake of acceptance? Our latest episode invites you into the world of Alex Draper, CEO and founder of DX, who shares his transformative voyage from an English village to the bustling streets of Chicago. Alex's tale is not just about geographic relocation but an internal metamorphosis, one that many of us yearn to experience. His candid narrative takes us from the halls of a posh boarding school to the helm of a thriving company, all while grappling with the authenticity of identity and the courage required to live unapologetically.
As we converse with Alex, we uncover the essential pillars of CARE—clarity, autonomy, relationships, and equity—and their profound impact on our journey towards self-realization. This episode isn't just a story; it's a mirror reflecting the societal pressures that shape us and a guidebook on how to dismantle them. Join us for a discussion that is as much about personal growth as it is about the collective consciousness—a place where being genuine isn't just welcomed, it's celebrated. Listen in for an inspiring, heart-to-heart conversation that promises to leave you contemplating the authenticity of your own life narrative and the strength found in embracing the diversity of thought.
Find Alex on LinkedIn or check out the DX Learning website.

You can order your copy of Creating Belonging on Amazon.
Music:
Wave by Helkimer | https://soundcloud.com/helkimer
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Previous Episode

S2E2 Crafting Inclusive Strategies for Community Impact

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Have you ever stepped into a room and felt like you didn't quite belong? Tre Cabrera, founder of Cabrera Advisory Group LLC, knows that sensation all too well, and she's devoted her career to transforming it. In our latest episode, we peel back the layers of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) with Tre, a black woman who has carved her path through the challenging terrain of urban and regional planning and community development. She not only shares her personal narrative but also delivers powerful insights on creating spaces where underrepresented voices aren't just present but are influential in shaping the culture of organizations.
As we navigate the complex web of power dynamics and organizational culture, Tre brings to light the often-overlooked facets of authenticity and allyship in the workplace. Get ready for a heart-to-heart on the emotional bravery required from leaders to foster an environment of psychological safety—a place where every individual feels valued and heard. Through her strategic positioning within the corporate world and her understanding of cultural pressures, Tre provides us with actionable strategies for advocating for change and ensuring that our organizational values resonate with the expectations of diverse talent pools. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue that will challenge you to rethink how you engage with DEIB in your professional life.
You can find Tre on LinkedIn or on her website.

Next Episode

S2E4 Inclusive Leadership: Faith, Empathy, and the Quest for Belonging

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As we grapple with the intricacies of forging genuinely inclusive spaces, Nancy Lyons, a tech innovator and staunch advocate for workplace diversity, lends her voice to our latest conversation. With Nancy at the helm of Clockwork and Tempo, her journey as a queer woman carving out a progressive company culture is both inspiring and instructive. Her stories, rich with the trials and triumphs of embedding inclusion into the DNA of a business, remind us that the pursuit of a welcoming environment is an ongoing, deliberate process. Nancy's recount of a colleague's struggle to reconcile his faith with a modern workplace ethos sheds light on how even the best-intentioned inclusivity initiatives can inadvertently marginalize, urging us to listen, learn, and adapt.
The dialogue turns deeply personal as Nancy reflects on a transformative exchange with a junior employee, probing the intersection of faith and leadership. It's a testament to the power of empathy in leadership, illustrating that understanding and mentorship can coexist with a multitude of beliefs. By embracing the complexities that each individual brings to the table, Nancy's leadership narrative challenges us to consider love and compassion as the cornerstones of not just personal faith, but of corporate culture. Join us for this thought-provoking episode where we confront the realities of fostering true belonging, navigating differences with grace, and the continuous evolution required to lead with inclusivity at the forefront.

The Creating Belonging Podcast - S2E3 Unveiling True Self: The Journey from Conformity to Authentic Leadership

Transcript

Justin00:00:10.090

Hello , welcome to another episode of the Creating Belonging Podcast . Today I have with me Alex Draper . Alex , if you wouldn't mind , just introducing yourself .

Alex00:00:20.567

Good morning , afternoon , good evening , wherever you're calling in from , wherever you are . My name is Alex . I am CEO and founder of a company called DX here in Chicago . We're her