293: What's Happened to Diversity Programs?
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Guests
Jason Greer is the Founder and President of Greer Consulting, Inc., a labor management and employee relations consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. He is a trusted source of the latest race and labor relations news for media nationwide.
Summary
Jason Greer and I dove deep into the crucial yet turbulent waters of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our polarized world. We explored practical ways to nurture diverse and inclusive workplaces and addressed concerns around diversity training. It was all about building bridges and fostering a sense of belonging.
Integrating DEI into the very fabric of business practices emerged as a key theme. We discussed facing fear as a hurdle to embracing diverse perspectives and the importance of creating work environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique talents. It's not about one-off initiatives but about sustained efforts to build an inclusive culture that celebrates and leverages individual differences.
With cultural polarization a stark reality, navigating sensitive topics and fostering productive dialogue across diverse viewpoints became another focus. We talked about addressing concerns surrounding diversity training (36:44) and finding common ground despite differing opinions.
Ultimately, Jason Greer and I both gained valuable insights for navigating the complexities of DEI in today's world. By promoting understanding, challenging biases, and building bridges across cultures, we can all contribute to businesses and communities that thrive in a more equitable and inclusive environment.
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About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
"Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for.
"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.