How do you foster diversity and inclusion to drive positive organizational change? Imagine a workplace where every voice is celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. In an empowered workplace, everyone can take ownership of their journey toward equity and inclusion and feel supported.
In this episode of the Inspirational Leadership podcast, I speak with Viva Asmelash (she/her) about creating psychological safety in the workplace, plus the systemic change needed in organizations. Viva is a passionate workplace consultant and certified inclusion strategist specializing in forward-thinking employee engagement, equity-centered strategic planning, values-driven branding, and critical team conversations. Viva’s professional purpose is to create environments where people feel truly seen and are inspired to be their best and most authentic selves. As the co-founder of Liberation Labs, she proudly co-designed the first-of-its-kind Culturally-Aware Feedback Training™. She also co-authored the viral 2023 Harvard Business Review article, Creating Psychological Safety for Black Women at Your Company.
Listen in to learn the importance of understanding how individuals’ past experiences influence their behaviors and interactions at work. You will also learn the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion work on everyone in your organization.
Key Takeaways:
- The need for organizations to invest in culture-building for equitable workplaces.
- The importance of shifting from individual actions to systemic changes to create psychological safety in the workplace.
- The importance of manager training and development for creating inclusive leadership.
- The role of HR departments in advocating for employees’ best interests within organizations.
- The qualities of an inspiring leader include commitment to self-growth and developing others.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- [01:52] Viva discusses her professional journey and elaborates on Liberation Labs’ mission to integrate equitable and inclusive practices into organizations.
- [08:18] The disconnection between organizations’ stated commitments to diversity and the reality of employees’ experiences.
- [10:08] Viva’s Harvard Business Review article on psychological safety for black women and marginalized communities in the workplace.
- [13:26] She shares examples of systemic changes needed in organizations, such as pay equity and manager training.
- [16:52] How individuals’ past experiences influence their behaviors and interactions at work and the importance of understanding that as a leader.
- [19:58] The importance of organizations creating time and space for employee feedback and empowerment.
- [23:20] Understanding that diversity, equity, and inclusion work inevitably affects everyone else in the organization.
- [24:40] Viva defines inspiring leaders as those committed to personal growth and evolution.
- [30:51] Viva reflects on her journey of self-discovery and embracing vulnerability and accountability in leadership.
- [37:58] Things organizations can do to make systemic changes, plus the lessons leaders can learn from Gen Zs.
Standout Quotes:
- “It’s understanding historical context and having an awareness around it, and unless you’re willing to do that, you shouldn’t be calling yourself a leader unless you’re willing to approach it with a sense of cultural humility.”– Viva [18:33]
- “When you’re paying more attention to improving your policies with the most marginalized in mind, you inevitably make things better for everybody else at the same time.”– Viva [23:41]
Listen to the podcast here:
Watch the video here:
Resources Mentioned:
- Learn more about Viva Asmelash’s work here
- Connect with Viva on Linkedin and Instagram
- Creating Psychological Safety for Black Women at Your Company
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