Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV
Season 4 Episode 3
Episode Title: Corporate DEI Initiatives
Guest: Dr. Anthony C. Hood
Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.
Show Summary:
"If you're looking for somebody to do diversity recruiting or put on panel discussions, Women's History Month, Black History Month, go find somebody else. But if you want to impact and drive workplace change, I'm interested - Dr. Anthony C. Hood"
In today's rapidly changing world, diversity, equity, and inclusion have become essential elements for organizations looking to succeed and stay competitive.
More and more organizations in corporate America recognize the value of creating a diverse workforce. However, achieving true diversity, equity, and inclusion goes beyond addressing race. It commits to building an environment where everyone is treated equitably and given equal opportunities, regardless of background, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics.
My guest today is Dr. Anthony Hood, an exceptional academic and corporate executive who is deeply involved and entrenched in diversity, equity, and inclusion activity within Alabama and beyond. In this episode, we talk about his experiences as a Chief DEI officer in corporate America and how he leads with evidence-based data when presenting strategies for progress and measuring success through KPIs, metrics, goals, and visions.
Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities of promoting real, meaningful change that goes beyond mere performance.
3 Exceptional Highlights:
The holy grail in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work is when it ties up with all areas of the organization, impacting compensation and performance evaluation.
Anti-black racism still exists in corporate America, and most companies are not ready to discuss it.
It's essential to approach diversity research and literature nuanced and complexly to grasp its full implications for organizations.
03:09 - Why Dr. Anthony Hood made the bold decision to leave academia and return to corporate America
05:36 - Is the Chief DEI Officer role more performative than effective following the tragic death of George Floyd?
11:25 - How to collaborate with respected colleagues without giving off perceptions of superiority or stepping on their expertise
13:15 - Why Dr. Hood wants to create a safe environment as a Chief DEI officer where people feel psychologically safe with him
15:02 - Lessons learned from some of the most challenging initiatives in the workplace encountered by Dr. Hood
17:27 - The importance of speaking corporate slang to gain traction in DEI initiatives
19:25 - Why are DEI metrics so crucial, and which ones should companies focus on?
28:45 - If it's not equitable for one, it's not equitable for everyone
30:32 - Leaders often hoard talent to the point of sabotaging their mobility
34:31 - Several community DEI initiatives Dr. Anthony Hood is most involved in
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