HR Mixtape

Culturally Responsive Leadership: Advancing Equity in the Workplace with Dr. Kevin Wright

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. Kevin Wright, a senior racial equity facilitator and consultant. They delve into the importance of culturally responsive supervision and the need for organizations to shift towards inclusivity and equity. Dr. Wright shares his insights on how traditional supervisory practices can be transformed to better support marginalized communities and foster a more inclusive workplace culture.

Key Takeaways:

1. Culturally Responsive Leadership: Learn how to balance task-oriented supervision with a focus on building relationships and understanding diverse cultural backgrounds in the workplace.

2. Addressing Resistance: Discover effective strategies for engaging with leaders who may be hesitant or resistant to DEI initiatives, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and vulnerability.

3. Long-Term Commitment: Understand that progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires sustained effort and intentionality to create meaningful change.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice on advancing organizational equity and fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Guest(s): Dr. Kevin L. Wright, Senior Racial Equity Facilitator/Consultant, Center for Equity and Inclusion

Cultivating Audacity: Taking Bold Risks in a Competitive World with Anne Marie Anderson

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, a three-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author of "Cultivating Audacity: How to Dismantle Doubt and Take Bold Risks." With over three decades of experience in sports television, Anne Marie shares her insights on overcoming fear, embracing audacity, and fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace.

Listeners will learn about the importance of taking bold risks and how to navigate common obstacles such as fear, time, money, and the inner critic. Anne Marie emphasizes the need for a supportive environment that encourages employees to be audacious and confident in their pursuits.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Fear: Learn how to make friends with fear and use it as a tool for growth rather than a barrier.

2. Say No: Discover the power of saying no to prioritize what truly matters and to take actionable steps toward personal authenticity.

3. Curate Your Front Row: Understand the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive individuals who encourage you to take risks and pursue your dreams.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on building confidence and audacity in both personal and professional settings!

Guest(s): Anne Marie Anderson, Broadcaster, Author, and Keynote Speaker, AMA Speaks LLC

Co-Mentoring Across Generations: Bridging the Age Gap in Organizations with Margaret McDonald

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson welcomes Margaret McDonald, an international speaker and pro-aging advocate, to discuss ageism in the workplace. Margaret, the author of "100 Words on Everyday Ageism," shares her insights on how cultural beliefs about aging can impact employee well-being, productivity, and organizational dynamics. As the workforce becomes increasingly multigenerational, understanding and addressing age-related stereotypes is more crucial than ever.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Ageism: Listeners will learn how common language and phrases contribute to ageism and how shifting this narrative can foster a more inclusive workplace.

2. Pro-Aging Advocacy: Margaret emphasizes the importance of being a pro-aging advocate rather than an anti-ageism advocate, promoting a positive view of aging as a natural and valuable part of life.

3. Co-Mentorship Strategies: The episode explores the concept of co-mentorship, where employees of different ages can learn from each other, enhancing skills and breaking down generational barriers.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on creating a more inclusive and age-friendly workplace!

Guest(s): Margaret McDonald, Pro-Aging Writer/Speaker/Advocate, Growing and Older

The Power of Language with Pam Jeffords

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Pam Jeffords, the managing partner at Diversity Works Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Pam shares her journey into the DEI field, the challenges organizations face post-pandemic, and the importance of civil discourse in fostering an inclusive environment. They also delve into the impact of language on DEI initiatives and how technology, particularly AI, is transforming the way companies assess equity within their workforce.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Civil Discourse: Pam emphasizes the need for civility over respect in workplace discussions, advocating for a culture where differing opinions can coexist without compromising core values.

2. The Power of Language: The episode highlights how language shapes perceptions and behaviors in the workplace, urging listeners to be mindful of the words they use and their historical implications.

3. Leveraging Technology for DEI: Pam discusses how AI can uncover unconscious biases in performance reviews, providing organizations with actionable data to promote equity and inclusion.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into navigating the complexities of DEI and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.

Guest(s): Pam Jeffords, Managing Partner, Diversity Works Group

The Essential Guide to Choosing the Right HCM for Your Organization with Margaret Godwin

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson welcomes Margaret Godwin, the HR Technology Consulting Practice Leader. With over 25 years of experience in HR technology consulting, Margaret shares her insights on selecting the right Human Capital Management (HCM) system for organizations. She emphasizes the importance of a thorough discovery process, the need for stakeholder involvement, and the critical factors to consider when evaluating HCM solutions.

Key Takeaways:

1. Discovery Process is Essential: Start with a comprehensive evaluation of your organization's needs and wants, involving all relevant stakeholders to ensure the selected HCM system meets everyone's requirements.

2. Integration Testing: Understand the integration capabilities of potential HCM vendors by documenting your existing systems and asking the right questions about their integration experiences.

3. Employee Involvement: Engage employees in the selection process through surveys and by including them in demos to gather valuable feedback on how the new system will impact their daily tasks.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into making informed decisions about HR technology and enhancing employee experience in the workplace!

Guest(s): Margaret Godwin, HR Technology Consulting Practice Leader

Embracing Authenticity: The Power of Genuine Leadership with Dr. Drew Fockler

In this episode of "HR Mixtape," host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. Drew Fockler, a university professor specializing in HR and leadership studies. Known as a change champion, Dr. Fockler shares his insights on authentic leadership, emphasizing the importance of humility, empathy, and self-awareness in fostering a positive workplace culture. The conversation delves into how authenticity can impact employee engagement, crisis management, and the evolving dynamics of multi-generational workplaces.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Authentic Leadership: Dr. Fockler defines authentic leadership as being comfortable with the unknown and embracing vulnerability, which fosters trust and collaboration within teams.
2. The Role of Empathy: The episode highlights the critical role of empathy in leadership, especially in post-pandemic workplaces, where understanding employees' personal challenges can enhance overall morale and productivity.
3. Navigating Generational Differences: Listeners will learn how different generations perceive authenticity and how leaders can adapt their approaches to meet the diverse needs of their teams.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to cultivate authentic leadership in your organization and make a lasting impact on your workplace culture.

Guest(s): Dr. Drew Fockler, Course Lead/Assistant Professor, University Canada West

Aligning Benefits Strategy with Organizational Culture with Jeff Williams

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Jeff Williams, the President and CEO of AptiaUS, to discuss the evolving landscape of benefits administration and the critical role of technology in enhancing employee satisfaction. With a rich background in tech-enabled services and a passion for aligning benefit strategies with organizational goals, Jeff shares valuable insights on how companies can create a culture of ownership through innovative benefits.

Key Takeaways:

1. Aligning Benefits with Company Culture: Jeff emphasizes the importance of aligning benefit strategies with the company's culture to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
2. The Role of Technology in Benefits Administration: The discussion highlights how emerging technologies, including AI, can personalize the benefits experience and support employees' mental and financial well-being.
3. Understanding Employee Needs: Jeff advocates for a data-driven approach to benefits, encouraging HR professionals to survey employees to identify their needs and preferences, ensuring that benefits are equitable and impactful.

Tune in to gain insights on how to effectively navigate the complexities of benefits administration and foster a supportive workplace culture.

Guest(s): Jeff Williams, US President and CEO, Aptia US

From Affinity Bias to Gender Parity: Transforming Workplace Culture with Dr. Brittany Boone

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. Brittany Boone, an industrial and organizational psychologist and diversity and inclusion consultant. They delve into the critical topic of unconscious bias in the workplace, discussing its implications even in organizations with strong diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Dr. Boone shares her insights on how biases are formed, the importance of self-awareness, and the need for ongoing conversations about bias to foster inclusive workplace cultures.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Unconscious Bias: Dr. Boone emphasizes that unconscious biases are not a reflection of one's character but rather how our brains process information and form patterns based on past experiences.
2. The Importance of Self-Reflection: Leaders and employees alike must engage in self-reflection to identify their own biases, which is essential for creating a more inclusive environment.
3. Building a Business Case for DEI: The episode highlights the necessity of demonstrating how diversity and inclusion efforts positively impact organizational performance, employee engagement, and overall job satisfaction.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding the nuances of unconscious bias in the workplace.

Guest(s): Dr. Brittany Boone, Senior Consultant, VallotKarp Consulting