On July 9th, in a statement on LinkedIn, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), announced its decision to drop the "E" from DEI. SHRM is the world's largest HR association dedicated to creating better workplaces that "work for all," and positions itself as being "the voice of all things work."

SHRM's statement on LinkedIn said:

"While we shift to I&D, our commitment to advancing equity remains steadfast. Equity will be integrated under the broader inclusion framework, continuing to be a priority in our strategy and leadership decisions."

If you have read my most recent book, Imagine Belonging, you know the true ingredients required to make a commitment – one of those ingredients is being able to say out loud what you are committed to. Using this logic...a commitment to equity can't be real if we're afraid to say it.

When the announcement was first made, I immediately knew who I wanted to talk to...the person who wrote the bestselling book on the topic of equity, Minal Bopaiah.

Minal had a lot to share, and as she was offering her take, I thought to myself, "why not turn this exchange into a podcast episode?" When I invited Minal to the show, she was all in!

I’m excited to welcome you to this exclusive interview with Minal Bopaiah, Brevity & Wit Founder and bestselling author of Equity. Minal combines her experiences and interests in human-design, DEI, psychology, and strategic communications to help her clients achieve the change they desire.

During our conversation, you'll:

--Discover why prioritizing inclusive behaviors alone will set your colleagues up for failure if they lack the systems and structures to support these practices.

--Explore the unintended consequences of SHRM’s decision on entire programs, positions, and departments that have the word "equity" in their titles.

--Gain insights on how to respond to objections and push back that employers and colleagues may have, feeling emboldened because of SHRM's recent decision.

Today’s conversation is designed to support people like you – visionary people leaders, and those on their way to joining us. Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Minal, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community.

The Belonging Membership Community is a practice space where we can try putting our shared values of belonging, community, collaboration, and joy into action. Members have the unique opportunity to connect with guests like Minal for 1:1 laser coaching sessions.

Join the community here: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com

Stay connected with Rhodes: www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

Learn more about Minal’s book Equity: https://theequitybook.com/.

Thanks for growing our #BelongingMovement!

Nearly a decade ago, the State of North Carolina enacted HB2, the first statewide anti-trans bathroom bill introduced in the United States. It required transgender people to use public restrooms inconsistent with their gender identity, which sparked widespread political backlash and severe economic consequences. Estimates suggest the legislation costs the state almost $5 billion annually.

Since that time, nearly every state across the country has attempted to pass similar, or even more restrictive laws. In just the past two years, we’ve seen over 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ bills - many of which target the lives and well-being of transgender children. As a result, a growing number of families are uprooting their lives and relocating to more supportive and affirming states.

While public policy over the past two decades has led to significant legislative wins for LGBTQ+ people – the freedom to marry, the ability to openly serve in the military, and protections against hate crimes - these basic freedoms are under siege, and this assault is having adverse impacts on our workplaces.

Many businesses have met these legislative efforts with formal rebukes from chambers of commerce, business advocacy organizations, and at shareholder meetings. Yet, many business leaders struggle with how to effectively communicate why pride at work is essential for their businesses to grow into the future. If you’re among this group of leaders, you’re in the right place.

Our featured guest, Erin Uritus is here to help. Erin is the CEO of Out & Equal, which is the premier nonprofit working to advance LGBTQ+ representation, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, and beyond. She is a passionate advocate for creating diverse and thriving workplaces where everyone can reach their full potential. During our conversation, you will:

---Discover the alarming impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which is causing a talent exodus and hindering business growth.

---Gain insights from a recent Out & Equal report, Talent on the Move, revealing the needs and expectations of LGBTQ+ employees in today's climate.

---Explore actions business leaders can take to gain a competitive advantage by doing the right thing and investing in LGBTQ+ DEIB interventions to enjoy business growth.

Our conversation is designed to support people like you – visionary people leaders, and those on their way to joining us. Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Erin, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of practice committed to putting our values of belonging, community, and collaboration in action. Members have the unique opportunity to connect with guests like Erin for 1:1 laser coaching sessions.

Join the community here: belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

Stay connected with Rhodes here: www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

Learn more about Out & Equal here: www.outandequal.org

Thanks for growing our #BelongingMovement!

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a professional persona? You show up, put your head down, and power through the workday, but a nagging sense of inauthenticity lingers. Maybe you crave deeper connections with colleagues, or you dream of a career that aligns with your true values. Here's the good news: authenticity isn't just about feeling good at work; it's the key to unlocking a more fulfilling and successful professional life.

Yet, the idea of being your authentic self at work might sound daunting. After all, wouldn't that mean sharing every quirky detail of your personality? The good news is authenticity isn't about unfiltered self-disclosure. It's about bringing your core values, strengths, and passions to the table in a way that feels appropriate for the situation.

Think of authenticity as the foundation of trust. When you show up as your authentic self, you create an environment where others may consider doing the same. Yet when you lack the agency, or the choice to determine how much of your real self you want to bring into your work, authenticity won’t be an option. And if authenticity isn’t an option, then growing trust, the ultimate business currency, won’t be an option either.

Agency is about power, and naturally, those of us who hold more power at work may treat authenticity as a dial that you can turn up or down depending on how relevant a personal detail is to the work at hand. Yet for those of us who hold less power at work, showing up as our real selves on the job is not a choice – it’s a liability. So how do we grow our collective agency to realize the authenticity advantage?

Fortunately, today’s featured guest, Don Mamone, offers their insights on this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast. Don is a renowned identity coach who teaches others how to reach their maximum potential and impact by discovering and embracing their true identity. As a nonbinary person, Don supports their clients build safer spaces that support and encourage unapologetic authenticity.

Don will explain how authenticity can lead to increased trust with your colleagues, leading to better feedback, career development opportunities, and potentially even promotions. You'll also learn how authentic connections with colleagues can create a more positive and supportive work environment, boosting your overall well-being and happiness.

This conversation is specifically designed to support organizational leaders, DEIB practitioners, and HR professionals seeking everyday actions they can take to maximize the power of the authenticity advantage. During this conversation, we will gain:

--Strategies to balance authenticity with professionalism.

--Fresh ideas to bring your authentic self to work.

--Answers for why genuine connections are essential for success.

--Awareness of how authenticity builds trust with your manager and colleagues.

--Practical tips to identify your values & translate them into your career.

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Don, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders, visionaries, and change makers committed to advancing their DEI goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our featured thought leaders 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private laser coaching session with our guests.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

And now…let’s jump into today’s conversation…