Q: What positions are critical to the long-term health of your organization?

Regardless of the type of organization (corporate, government, non-profit) these roles are essential for them to thrive and are typically hard to fill.

Q: Who's included in the talent pool with the ability to advance to key positions?

Q: How are they prepared to meet the business need?

When leadership teams are diverse in thought, skill and culture, the organization is better prepared to innovate new products and services, dominate their competitive landscape, and reinvigorate organizational talent to exceed performance expectations.

Join this candid conversation on the Inclusive Enterprise Conversation Podcast with Dr. John Greene, Senior Vice President and CHRO of TDS® Telephone and Data Systems, a diversified telecommunications company serving over six million customers nationwide.

We discussed the opportunity to think differently and enhance current talent processes by making DEI part of succession planning with real-world actionable, coachable success practices to grow the business.

It doesn't take longer to build your leadership pipeline, instead it takes concerted effort and intention to challenge the status quo, to make your teams and organization stronger. Achieve even higher levels of performance by realizing everyones' full potential.

John’s leadership experience provides a solid foundation for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to succession with real-world application. He draws from leadership roles in the military and in corporations with Johnson Controls, RHR International Consulting including his first TDS role as Vice President, Enterprise Diversity, Equity & Inclusion where he led the development and implementation of the enterprise DEI strategy across the TDS family of companies and advanced to Senior Vice President, Human Resources Officer for the firm.

As organizations continue to establish a new norm for recruiting, retaining, and engaging talent, the best companies are mindful of the benefits of intentional succession planning.

These organizations understand that while their counterparts are busy facilitating replacement planning processes, their most competitive advantage stems from strategic talent management that supports both the current and future needs of the business.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

Listen Carefully and Continuously for Better Results and Competitive Advantage.

That may seem obvious and simple, yet in today's tumultuous business environment, leaders can occasionally lose their focus along with low self-awareness. That's where asking questions and gaining answers from others with unique perspectives drives improvement to achieve better outcomes.

One extraordinary leader who demonstrates these positive attributes of listening intently, authentically, and responsively is Sanja Licina, PhD, President of QuestionPro Workforce.

She takes listening to a higher level by building bridges, connecting people, uncovering concerns, with empathy to co-create, sustainable solutions for mutual benefit. How? By cultivating an inclusion and belonging mindset. She is a citizen of the world, a person 'who never met a stranger.' Is easy to get to know, and eager to know the points of view of others, to learn from and grow people, organizations, and communities.

It was an absolute honor to sit down with my special guest, Sanja Licina, to discuss her life, work, passion and the power of listening when embedded in organizations' processes, as a priority to support an inclusive and belonging culture.

Sanja Licina, Ph.D. is an Organizational Psychologist and President at QuestionPro Workforce, a global leader in online survey and research services. In this role she has overall responsibility for driving growth, product development and client satisfaction for Workforce Experience division. Sanja has 20 years of experience as an executive and senior leader in high-growth organizations. For nine years she held multiple strategic roles at CareerBuilder, including product management, talent intelligence and workforce analytics. Prior to joining QuestionPro she led the Future of Organizations unit at Globant, a company that leverages digital-cognitive technologies to help companies transform. Early in her career she was a researcher for Ipsos and a consultant for Harvard Business School. She is also a member of the distinguished Forbes Human Resource Council.

In this episode of the Inclusive Enterprise Conversations Podcast, Listening Continuously, talks about maximizing benefits.

Don't miss this revealing conversation and key takeaways:

• How continuous listening can establish or invigorate effective DEI Strategy and business growth
• Recognize personal values and beliefs evolve over time for leaders and employees
• Leaders engaging more employees in decision-making can lead to faster and more meaningful change
• Building exceptional experiences and workplace cultures begins with Leaders' human connection, reflection, observation, innovation, and retention

Actively and consistently listening to employees demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, making them feel valued and heard. When employees believe their voices matter, they are more likely to stay with the organization, leading to higher talent retention rates, which is an important concern for DEI, HR, and senior leaders!

As Sanja says 'Most of us spend so much of our lives working, and there is still a tremendous opportunity to help people feel better connected to their companies, to their colleagues, and to feel passionate to make a difference with their work. So, I dedicated my career to helping companies create a culture that employees love to be a part of.'

Who better than Sanja and her team to lead the way, modeling the behaviors, actions and shared knowledge with resources to empower organizations and individuals to reach their full potential.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

While a lot has changed this year.. . at the same time, a lot remains 'in a holding pattern' or worse, in the reverse.

Q: How do you stay focused and push for positive change with persistent obstacles in your path to progress?

In this episode of the Inclusive Enterprise Conversation Podcast, I sat down with two dynamic Black women, warriors of DEIB, to hear their perspectives and shared purpose, empowering all people, needing access to care to reach the highest quality of life, in these challenging times.

My special guests include, a leader with an accomplished career in Government and Healthcare, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Social Justice & Accountability Officer of the largest, most comprehensive health system and provider in NJ, DeAnna Minus-Vincent. The other distinguished leader, was the first officer, Senior Director of Health Equity and Community Equity for a national healthcare payor, insurance company in NJ, Tracy Parris-Benjamin. We discussed their life changing experiences, how their careers intersect and inspired their path forward.

DeAnna is Founder and Managing Director with Tracy serving as Managing Partner of The Outcomes Architect-- a strategic advisory firm that executes across sectors to optimize leadership; leverage relationships; and gather insights to improve organizational results. Their aim is to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions that are integrated, equitable, and sustainable to empower companies and communities they serve. They proactively equip organizations with the tools necessary to architect their own successful outcomes!

Understanding systemic racism and how to eliminate it, requires a wholistic approach and key steps to advance health equity for real visible impact. It requires policy and practice review, before addressing drivers of health. It's essential that this work moves beyond programs and training, and is grounded in data analysis of current mindsets and human behavior, with clearly articulated outcomes for sustained change.

Together they create solutions that demand honest feedback, dealing with current reality, recognizing the daily lives of employees and communities they serve and barriers to living a quality life. Both are driven to dismantling policies and practices that get in the way of healthy living and rebuilding equitable organizations' to achieve their vision and mission.

Join the conversation. Listen to this enlightening episode. It's a must for leaders to recognize and empower employees, improve productivity and understand what your greatest assets need for greater impact in their professional and personal lives, and provide a stronger sense of purpose and prosperity.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

Q:"Where are we regarding DEI, where do we want to be, and how to get there? There is a need for employers to take a holistic, broader view of diversity, and develop inclusive leaders in 2024.”

• On the latest episode of Inclusive Enterprise Conversations Podcast, Charlotte Hughes of Inclusive Leaders Group sat down with Fields Jackson Jr., CEO, Chief Cheerleader & Talent Scout of Racing Toward Diversity Magazine and President, College Diversity Network…
• Racing Toward Diversity magazine showcases the best DEI initiatives being made today. Written with business and educational audiences in mind. Stories highlight messages from influential leaders and their organizations…
• The College Diversity Network helps organizations become more diverse from top to bottom by bringing more diverse candidates into their entry level talent pipelines…
• This thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about reimagining belonging and driving change in these turbulent times…
• Focused on the company culture, talent management, leadership behavior, and business growth benefits of DEI
• Gaining different perspectives and ideas to increase creativity & innovation, profitable growth, and how to become an Employer of Choice
• Listen to “Why Companies Should Rethink & Reframe their Approach to DEI a conversation with Fields Jackson, Jr.”

And never miss an episode by subscribing to The Inclusive Enterprise Conversations Podcast.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

This episode of the Inclusive Enterprise Podcast features a conversation with Josette Gbemudu, Executive Director of Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health at Merck.

Merck & Company, Inc, is an American multinational pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey and is recognized as Merck sharp and Dohme or MSD outside of the United States and Canada. It's one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, generally ranking in the global top five by revenue.

Merck & Co. aspires to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world and today is at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

With 15 years of experience, Josette thrives at the intersection of commercial strategy, innovation, and policy. She has brought this expertise to key sectors including the Pharmaceutical Industry, Federal and State Health Agencies, Health Plans and Providers. She has a strong understanding of the macro and micro healthcare ecosystem and the interdependencies across critical stakeholders.

Join the Conversation

Listen to this episode of The Inclusive Enterprise Podcast: “Taking Health Equity from Concept to Practice: Driving Transformational and Sustainable Change - A Conversation with Josette Gbemudu" as we explore workplace health equity strategy with Josette including:

• The rationale for hospitals, health systems, and other health providers for making health equity an even greater priority after Covid-19
• Why all other industries should be seriously concerned and take action to reduce disparities and advance health equity
• How healthcare and non-healthcare organizations can positively impact community health and close gaps in care by leveraging new and innovative partnerships

Josette also shares the key pillars for improving health equity long term results. How do you engage everyone to contribute to better outcomes?

Listen to an effective approach to motivate every leader and employee across all industries to participate in achieving health equity within communities.

REMEMBER - To inspire individual and collective action key enablers are needed: leadership commitment, shared vision and scope linked to business objectives, measurement framework linked to short and long-term impact metrics, and sustained focus.

At Inclusive Leaders Group, we help leaders create safe, inclusive spaces that elevate employee engagement and performance to improve the business results and the communities they serve.

You can find information about Inclusive Leaders Group’s consulting, training, and assessment services at inclusiveleadersgroup.com. And while there, please subscribe to the Inclusive Enterprise Podcast for this and other informative and enlightening episodes.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

This episode of the Inclusive Enterprise Podcast features a conversation with Giovanna Giuliani Executive Director, California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) and Dr. Minako Watabe, Chief Medical Officer, Ventura County Medical Center about the innovative and effective Racial Equity Community of Practice program led by The California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) that is providing new strategies for health equity in California.

Health care organizations are on the front-lines of addressing health equity. They play key roles in delivering care, offering products to access care, as employers, and as social safety nets in their communities. Leaders from hospitals, health systems, and health plans are searching for ways to address health equity within their organizations and the communities they serve. They are seeking to understand how they can confront systemic racism and bias and reduce health disparities.

In 2022, the Safety Net Institute (SNI) launched the Racial Equity Community of Practice in partnership with the National Equity Project (NEP) and with funding from the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). The Racial Equity Community of Practice has been instrumental in fostering public health care system collaboration and driving progress in the realm of health equity through a systemic approach. Over 18 months, public health care systems worked collaboratively to pave the way to strengthen anti-racism strategies and integrate equity into the fabric of their institutional culture, practices, and policies. California's safety net provides both hospital and outpatient care to anyone who needs it, regardless of insurance status, immigration status, ability to pay, or any other circumstance.

Listen to this episode "Advancing Racial Equity Across California's Public Health Systems." Co-hosts Charlotte and Brian Hughes enjoy a thoughtful conversation with Giovanna Giuliani Executive Director, California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) who oversees the Racial Equity Community of Practice, and Dr. Minako Watabe, Chief Medical Officer, Ventura County Medical Center representing one of the twelve community of practice member health providers.

Key Insights Shared Include:

-The mission and inspiration for the SNI Racial Equity Community of Practice (CoP)

-Expectations and key takeaways during the CoP experience

-Phase Two focus of the Racial Equity CoP

-What makes this CoP approach so successful

See Dr. Minako Watabe share her perspective

and more!

This initiative serves as a role model for hospitals and health systems across the country to emulate, which is why the Inclusive Enterprise Podcast wanted to communicate and celebrate the effort.

At Inclusive Leaders Group, we help leaders create safe, inclusive spaces that elevate employee engagement and performance to improve the business results and the communities they serve.

You can find information about Inclusive Leaders Group’s consulting, training, and assessment services at inclusiveleadersgroup.com. And wh

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

Deloitte Driving Health Equity in the Workplace: A Conversation with Deloitte's Dr. Jay Bhatt and Dr. Elizabeth Baca

Organizations need to develop an executable roadmap to drive towards their vision. What are some of the questions, organizational leaders should ask themselves about their workplace to develop their health equity vision?

1. How are you going to measure success?

2. What will you prioritize to get to success?

3. What activities will help move the initiative forward?

4. Are you getting the results you want to see?

If not, be open to using real time data, listen, experiment and change to get better results.

The Opportunity:

Inequity, discrimination, and bias have no place in the workplace. Yet, unfortunately, they remain, and these problems have been proven to take a heavy toll on the health and well-being of employees, organizations, and their community.

Significant improvement in the health of employees should be expected when workplaces focus on equity. And conversely, stressors from discriminatory practices can negatively affect employees emotional, psychological, and physical health.

Some employers are taking action to eliminate health inequities and will continue to do so. However, progress should be made on a broader scale to help truly achieve health equity.

Inequities in the US health system cost approximately 320 billion today and could eclipse to 1 trillion in annual spending by 2040. If left unaddressed, inequities across the US health system limit underserved people's access to high quality care, create avoidable costs and financial waste that spans society and can impact every individual's potential to achieve health and wellbeing.

Listen to the Inclusive Enterprise Podcast ‘Driving Health Equity in the Workplace: A conversation with Deloitte’s Dr. Jay Bhatt & Dr. Elizabeth Baca’ to learn best practices organizations can execute to build toward health equity.

Inclusive Leaders Group encourages its listeners to access the public facing resources available at the Deloitte Health Equity Institute, including multiple playbooks and research reports @deloitte.com.

Please visit Inclusive Leaders Group.com for the best and next practices regarding workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....

A mind is a terrible thing to waste - UNCF Slogan

It's a missed opportunity... Unrealized growth potential .....
That's what happens when DEI is not connected to the business strategy or culture of continuous learning in an organization.

• How can we stop missing opportunities?
• How can individuals and organizations reach their full potential?

Join me and my special guest, Dr. Theoria M. Cason as we discuss these challenges, the root cause, and a path forward.

Taking a serious approach to cultivating a strategy, with measurable goals is fundamental to DEI. Learning and Development is part of this intentional and holistic approach.

Dr. Cason, is a fellow Cornellian and Inclusive Leaders Group Senior Consultant. She is a talented Certified Diversity Professional, Transformational Coach, Global Citizen, Author, Speaker, and Strategic Disrupter.

Taking the next step from unconscious bias awareness to a strategic DEI plan is essential. Evolving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is a culture shift that takes time and yields results.

A commitment to continuous learning increases your knowledge, supports every employee's ability to contribute to actionable strategies to solve problems and maximize potential!

Effectively communicating with people from different cultures, can be the difference between success and failure in business, healthcare, education, and beyond.

For valuable resources on Cultural Competence from Theoria click this link

"Cultural Competence: What it is, Why it's important, and How to Develop it" by Dr. Theoria Cason is a book that guides leaders in enhancing their cultural sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of open-mindedness, active listening, and acceptance of diverse perspectives. With a focus on inclusivity, readers gain insight into cultural competence, learning to understand their own cultural identity and respect other cultures without judgment.

"Cultural Competence: The Playbook" by Dr. Theoria Cason is a companion book to "Cultural Competence: What it is, Why it's important, and How to Develop it." It offers practical guidance for individuals seeking to actively improve their cultural competence, featuring self-assessments, actionable tips, and affirmative statements to foster self-understanding and challenge implicit biases. The playbook covers topics such as cultural humility, color bravery, empathy, and active listening, providing readers with a comprehensive resource for personal growth in this area."

For additional value-added resources on DEI Strategy and Cultural Competence, visit Inclusive Leaders Group.

Creating Workplace Cultures of Belonging....