Welcome to Intentional Conversations, where we intersect diversity, equity, and inclusion with leadership and business.
In this first episode of Season 3, our host, Dr. Nika White, has a compelling dialogue with Shanté S. Gordon, a seasoned head of DEI strategy and wellness facilitator at the Norfus Firm.
Together, they explore the challenges and successes of individuals in DEI leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of personal well-being and advocating for equitable opportunities in the workplace.
So, grab those headphones 🎧, press play, and let the conversation go!
Be sure to subscribe to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing.
This Week's Key Topics from Shanté:
1. Importance of DEI Strategy and Wellness for Employees:
- Aligning organizational values and strategies with actions
- Providing support to employees to champion DEI values
2. Navigating the New Normal: Remote Work and Employee Well-being:
- Impact of remote work on work dynamics and individual preferences
- Employers' communication and considerations for returning to the office
- Evolving role of people leaders and managers in a distributed workforce
3. DEI as Essential for Organizational Success:
- Framing DEI as good business practice for attracting and retaining talent
- Change management strategies for navigating diversity initiatives and remote work
4. Shanté S. Gordon's Career Journey and Experiences:
- Transition from the music industry to wellness and DEI work
- Challenges faced in the music industry, including discrimination and body representation
- Understanding the need for self-awareness and empathy in corporate environments
5. Shift in Mindset and Systemic Support:
- Shifting from a "sink or swim" mentality to address systemic oppression
- Promoting inclusive leadership and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups
6. Wellness, Mindfulness, and Employee Support:
- Importance of mindfulness and staying present in preparing for the new year
- Employer support and space for employees' concerns in the context of wellness
- Human-centered approach and building high-quality connections to support employees
7. The Zero Sum Game Concept and Equal Opportunities:
- Understanding the zero sum game concept and its relationship to DEI in the workplace
- Addressing "hyperindividualism" and resistance to creating equal opportunities
- The importance of believing in equal access to opportunities for success
8. Promoting Equity and Equal Opportunity:
- Cultural differences in approaching individualism and collective support
- The need for both individuals and the system to adjust to support diverse perspectives
- Emphasis on allowing people of color and underrepresented backgrounds to ascend to leadership roles
9. Focus on Wellness and Personal Development in the Workplace:
- Trend of people choosing one word or making resolutions in the new year
- Employers' role in holding space for employees' needs and wellness support
- Encouraging the sharing of resources and questions for audience engagement
10. Practical Tips for DEI in the Workplace and Engagement:
- Details of Shanté S. Gordon's podcast "What's the DEIL?" and its focus on DEI
- Offer for further conversation on DEI topics with the audience
Connect with Shanté:
Slide into her LinkedIn...
