How does belief and bias affect the Cassandra's of Corporate America?
05/22/24 • 28 min
Ever found yourself echoing the unheard prophecies of Cassandra, the Trojan priestess doomed to speak truths no one would believe? That's the thread Karen & Brittany tug at as they explore the labyrinth of trust and credibility, where the workplace becomes our modern-day Troy.
In this episode, Karen and Brittany peel back the layers on why certain voices are bolstered and others stifled. They examine the unique hurdles Black women leap over in professional arenas and examine how trauma shapes their work armor as they double down on their professional expertise. They dissect the concept of "cultural fit" and the biases lurking behind it, challenging the status quo of subjective hiring practices and providing advice on how to build equitable teams and how to forge a workplace where every member's worth is measured by their mastery, not by likability.
CONTINUED LEARNING
Workplace Divided: Diversity and Equity and Inclusion and Discrimination
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Ever found yourself echoing the unheard prophecies of Cassandra, the Trojan priestess doomed to speak truths no one would believe? That's the thread Karen & Brittany tug at as they explore the labyrinth of trust and credibility, where the workplace becomes our modern-day Troy.
In this episode, Karen and Brittany peel back the layers on why certain voices are bolstered and others stifled. They examine the unique hurdles Black women leap over in professional arenas and examine how trauma shapes their work armor as they double down on their professional expertise. They dissect the concept of "cultural fit" and the biases lurking behind it, challenging the status quo of subjective hiring practices and providing advice on how to build equitable teams and how to forge a workplace where every member's worth is measured by their mastery, not by likability.
CONTINUED LEARNING
Workplace Divided: Diversity and Equity and Inclusion and Discrimination
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Previous Episode
Why Can't We Unravel the Strands of Hair Equity and Expression in the Black Community?
Every strand tells a story, and in our latest episode, we weave through the complex tapestry of hair's role in equity and self-expression. I open up about the personal hurdles I've faced sporting dreads and dyed hair in professional spheres, while we also unravel the historical battles for acceptance that many like Daryl George have endured. This isn't just talking about hair grooming – it's a deep-rooted discussion about societal norms, where we spotlight the need for an inclusive reimagining of workplace and societal perspectives on hair.
We then pay tribute to the powerful legacy of Black women's hair, a resilient emblem of identity through the centuries. From the oppressive tignon laws to Madam C.J. Walker's pioneering beauty empire, we celebrate the artistry and resistance sewn into every braid, twist, and coil. Icons like Issa Rae and Tina Turner serve as our muses, illustrating hair's role in empowerment and cultural pride. By sharing how to genuinely support others' hair journeys and debunking myths with grace, we champion a future where every hair texture and style is not merely tolerated but embraced with open admiration.
Continuing Education
- The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being (National Library of Medicine)
- Is Hair Discrimination Race Discrimination? (American Bar Association)
- The CROWN Act hasn’t ended hair discrimination in Texas (Brookings)
- A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. The school says it wasn’t discrimination (Associated Press)
- The CROWN Act
- How Hair Discrimination Affects Black Women at Work (HBR)
- Penalizing Black hair in the name of academic success is undeniably racist, unfounded, and against the law (Brookings)
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Next Episode
Why Did SHRM Strip 'Equity' From Its DEI Strategy?
Is SHRM abandoning equity? Join Brittany and Karen as they dissect SHRM's rather confusing shift from diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) to a narrower focus on inclusion and diversity (I&D). In this episode, Brittany and Karen:
- Dig into the implications of omitting "equity" from the equation, especially given its critical role in creating truly inclusive workplaces.
- Explore the potential disconnect between SHRM's stated ethos and their real-world implementation, emphasizing that equity is essential for any discussion about inclusion.
- Question whether SHRM is avoiding the complex issue of defining "equity" and its role as a leading HR organization in setting the standard rather than sidestepping the challenge.
- Highlight the need for clear frameworks and actionable tools to help HR practitioners navigate these complex issues, especially when engaging with leadership.
Drawing insights from a Forbes article written by DEI expert Aparna Rae, Karen & Brittany explore her recommendations for the HR community, such as advocating for better representation and considering the impact of SHRM's decisions on the industry. We also reflect on SHRM CEO Johnny Taylor's communication strategy, the risks he has taken with this pivot, and the timing of SHRM's announcement on Black Women's Equal Pay Day. The episode wraps up with a discussion about the importance of defining equity and how the organization's focus on civility might shape the future of DEI initiatives.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- SHRM Announcement
- SHRM’s Problematic DEI Pivot: A Step Backwards For Workers’ Rights
- SHRM, a leading HR organization, is no longer focusing on ‘equity’ in its DEI approach
- America’s HR Lobby Scraps the ‘E’ From DEI
- ‘A Storm Is Coming for HR.’ SHRM CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., Says Leaders Must Run Into It
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
The E Word - How does belief and bias affect the Cassandra's of Corporate America?
Transcript
What's the E word ? It's the E in DEI that everyone ignores
Brittany S. Halebut we're
Brittany S. Halehere to bring you to good . Welcoming everybody back to the e-word yes , yes , yes , welcome back , welcome back I back Another week of shenanigans . It's always shenanigans , but I like to think that we
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