My very special guest today is Brenda Harrington.
Brenda is a certified Executive Coach, author, and facilitator of leadership development experiences. She works with leaders across a variety of business sectors, non-profit, government, and intergovernmental organizations to help them enhance their leadership competencies and build capacity. Her partnership with clients is centered on the development of professional habits that will enable them to have the greatest possible impact.
Brenda is also a Black woman and In her book, Access Denied, released last summer, Brenda addresses workplace disparities and discrimination through brave storytellers who shared their stories with her.
I am not a black woman and can not begin to understand what black women experience, or have experienced in the workplace. But, I do strongly believe everyone should feel a sense of belonging and safety when they show up for work. At the very least, they should not feel isolated or made to feel less than for any reason. Not for the color of their skin, not for a disability, not for their age (younger or older).
There is so much opportunity for us to continue to learn from each other in this area. I hope this episode provides you with some nugget that you can take back to your day-to-day, inspires you to purchase Brenda’s book to learn more from her or to have a conversation with someone that creates awareness and better understanding of one another.
Here are some of my takeaways:
1. When you don’t see yourself in the "family portrait" or you don’t feel there’s a place for you or acknowledgment of the value you bring it is difficult to be engaged.
2. Misunderstanding, judgment, and fear are barriers to inclusivity.
3. There are really just two emotions fear and love.
4. A more inclusive workplace begins with paying attention and being aware. The world is not colorless and no one wants to be invisible.
5. Hold managers accountable for standards. We may not be able to change the hearts and minds of others, but we should have certain standards and accountability in the work environment.
6. Schemas are mental shortcuts that we take. We rely on shortcuts to interpret the world around us. They are embedded in the psyche and they create assumptions. So we have to be willing to question those shortcuts and reconsider them.
7. Onc
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With 25+ years of leadership experience, spanning multiple roles across corporations and non-profits, I have gained a wealth of experience in understanding what makes organizations successful.
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