Nearly a decade ago, the State of North Carolina enacted HB2, the first statewide anti-trans bathroom bill introduced in the United States. It required transgender people to use public restrooms inconsistent with their gender identity, which sparked widespread political backlash and severe economic consequences. Estimates suggest the legislation costs the state almost $5 billion annually.

Since that time, nearly every state across the country has attempted to pass similar, or even more restrictive laws. In just the past two years, we’ve seen over 1,000 anti-LGBTQ+ bills - many of which target the lives and well-being of transgender children. As a result, a growing number of families are uprooting their lives and relocating to more supportive and affirming states.

While public policy over the past two decades has led to significant legislative wins for LGBTQ+ people – the freedom to marry, the ability to openly serve in the military, and protections against hate crimes - these basic freedoms are under siege, and this assault is having adverse impacts on our workplaces.

Many businesses have met these legislative efforts with formal rebukes from chambers of commerce, business advocacy organizations, and at shareholder meetings. Yet, many business leaders struggle with how to effectively communicate why pride at work is essential for their businesses to grow into the future. If you’re among this group of leaders, you’re in the right place.

Our featured guest, Erin Uritus is here to help. Erin is the CEO of Out & Equal, which is the premier nonprofit working to advance LGBTQ+ representation, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, and beyond. She is a passionate advocate for creating diverse and thriving workplaces where everyone can reach their full potential. During our conversation, you will:

---Discover the alarming impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which is causing a talent exodus and hindering business growth.

---Gain insights from a recent Out & Equal report, Talent on the Move, revealing the needs and expectations of LGBTQ+ employees in today's climate.

---Explore actions business leaders can take to gain a competitive advantage by doing the right thing and investing in LGBTQ+ DEIB interventions to enjoy business growth.

Our conversation is designed to support people like you – visionary people leaders, and those on their way to joining us. Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Erin, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of practice committed to putting our values of belonging, community, and collaboration in action. Members have the unique opportunity to connect with guests like Erin for 1:1 laser coaching sessions.

Join the community here: belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

Stay connected with Rhodes here: www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

Learn more about Out & Equal here: www.outandequal.org

Thanks for growing our #BelongingMovement!

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a professional persona? You show up, put your head down, and power through the workday, but a nagging sense of inauthenticity lingers. Maybe you crave deeper connections with colleagues, or you dream of a career that aligns with your true values. Here's the good news: authenticity isn't just about feeling good at work; it's the key to unlocking a more fulfilling and successful professional life.

Yet, the idea of being your authentic self at work might sound daunting. After all, wouldn't that mean sharing every quirky detail of your personality? The good news is authenticity isn't about unfiltered self-disclosure. It's about bringing your core values, strengths, and passions to the table in a way that feels appropriate for the situation.

Think of authenticity as the foundation of trust. When you show up as your authentic self, you create an environment where others may consider doing the same. Yet when you lack the agency, or the choice to determine how much of your real self you want to bring into your work, authenticity won’t be an option. And if authenticity isn’t an option, then growing trust, the ultimate business currency, won’t be an option either.

Agency is about power, and naturally, those of us who hold more power at work may treat authenticity as a dial that you can turn up or down depending on how relevant a personal detail is to the work at hand. Yet for those of us who hold less power at work, showing up as our real selves on the job is not a choice – it’s a liability. So how do we grow our collective agency to realize the authenticity advantage?

Fortunately, today’s featured guest, Don Mamone, offers their insights on this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast. Don is a renowned identity coach who teaches others how to reach their maximum potential and impact by discovering and embracing their true identity. As a nonbinary person, Don supports their clients build safer spaces that support and encourage unapologetic authenticity.

Don will explain how authenticity can lead to increased trust with your colleagues, leading to better feedback, career development opportunities, and potentially even promotions. You'll also learn how authentic connections with colleagues can create a more positive and supportive work environment, boosting your overall well-being and happiness.

This conversation is specifically designed to support organizational leaders, DEIB practitioners, and HR professionals seeking everyday actions they can take to maximize the power of the authenticity advantage. During this conversation, we will gain:

--Strategies to balance authenticity with professionalism.

--Fresh ideas to bring your authentic self to work.

--Answers for why genuine connections are essential for success.

--Awareness of how authenticity builds trust with your manager and colleagues.

--Practical tips to identify your values & translate them into your career.

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Don, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders, visionaries, and change makers committed to advancing their DEI goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our featured thought leaders 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private laser coaching session with our guests.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

And now…let’s jump into today’s conversation…

In the wake of last year’s Supreme Court decision to overturn affirmative action, certain media personalities and recalcitrant business leaders have falsely claimed that “DEI is dead.” This claim may very well be true for the businesses that were never serious about setting this work up to succeed.

Yet, for businesses that want to remain relevant for the workforce and customers of the future, many are doubling down on their commitment. In fact, 75% of HR leaders believe DEI interventions are a crucial strategy to prepare for the future of work, which may be why 60% are increasing their DEI investments in 2024.

While the demand for DEI interventions remains high, employers are seeking evidence and evaluation that these interventions are working. They want to know if the needle is moving in the direction of building healthier workplace cultures and diverse teams, which lead to better decisions, innovative ideas, business success, and even industry breakthroughs.

So how do we design and evaluate the effectiveness of our work? Given the volatile, uncertain, and complex times we are living through, it’s first important to ask better questions, starting with what kind of interventions does this current moment demand, and how can we link those interventions to our organization’s broader strategic goals?

Fortunately, McKensie Mack, founder of MMG Earth offers their insights on this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast. McKensie’s company recently partnered with Catalyst, a global nonprofit designed to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion, to design the Virtue Economy survey to better understand how organizational leaders, DEI practitioners, and other change-makers continue to learn grow and evolve as they strive to build healthier workplace cultures in the face of systemic and political adversity.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/953FGN2

McKensie is a leading voice on power, politics, and pop culture in a global marketplace. A trilingual tech enthusiast, future economist, and award-winning entrepreneur from the Southside of Chicago, they are the Founder and CEO of MMG EARTH, the first Black and nonbinary-led research and change management firm in the U.S. and Boundary Work, a public service platform dedicated to raising collective awareness on boundaries and offering educational information for the betterment of culture, systems, and society.

This conversation is specifically designed to support organizational leaders, DEIB practitioners, HR professionals, and other people leaders seeking everyday actions they can take to better assess the kind of L&D required to support, grow, and nurture leaders to advance their DEI interventions to build healthier workplace cultures.

Together, we will:

--Learn about the Virtue Economy and how it’s influencing our workplace culture.

--Strategies on how to assess the kind of L&D support org leaders and DEI professionals need.

--Actions required to survey such a large group of professionals, and ways we can support.

--Ways to leverage the MMG World & Catalyst report to ensure our DEI interventions succeed.

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like McKensie, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders, visionaries, and change-makers committed to advancing their DEI goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our featured thought leaders 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private laser coaching session with our guests.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

And now…let’s jump into today’s conversation…

Talking through tough issues at work can help initiate change and influence others by presenting different perspectives and approaches to solving problems. When we engage in healthy debate and work through conflict, our team is much closer to realizing its next innovative idea, product, or service.

Yet when we engage in challenging conversations, they have the potential of straining our professional relationships. They can also erode our health and well-being. As a result, many of us are conflict-avoidant, and there are good evolutionary reasons we exercise caution when conflict arises.

Our brains are wired to keep us safe from harm. When conflict arises, internal alarm bells ring loud, and we cling to what feels most comfortable. Tension arises, and psychological safety deteriorates. Specifically, we may fear negative consequences should we engage in a challenging conversation where we are uncertain of the outcome.

So how do we build the stamina required to talk through tough issues that arise at work when our instinct is to run in the opposite direction? Meaningful dialogue in any form requires two key ingredients: 1) risk, and 2) vulnerability. Risk arises because we are uncertain of the outcome, and vulnerability is necessary to maintain our presence as the dialogue continues to unfold.

Fortunately, this episode’s featured thought leader, Dr. Elisa Glick, will offer suggestions based on her deep experience about how to create and maintain the conditions required to skillfully talk through tough issues at work.

Dr. Glick is a DEIB consultant, thought leader, and inclusive teaching expert. She is the first openly gay faculty member specializing in queer studies to be tenured at the University of Missouri, where she is Associate Professor Emerita. As the Founder and President of Elisa Glick Consulting, Elisa helps leaders and teams to have courageous conversations, overcome barriers to connection, and foster trust and collaboration.

This conversation is specifically designed to support executive leaders, DEIB practitioners, HR professionals, and other people leaders seeking everyday actions they can take to tame the tension that often arises when dialogue around tough issues is required. Together, we will explore:

---Strategies on how to override the brain’s instinct to avoid conflict at all costs.

---Actions required to frame the conversation and establish community agreements.

---Behaviors that promote a shared sense of trust among participants in the dialogue.

---Ways to repair the environment if the trust they have created is eventually tested.

https://elisaglick.com/blogtest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-glick-phd

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Dr. Elisa Glick, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders committed to advancing their DEIB goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our featured thought leaders 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private laser coaching session with our guests.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

Are you concerned about the #InclusiveLeadership skills gap in today's workforce? Are you curious about how to change this reality? You're not alone.

In this year’s State of the Union, President Biden mentioned a recent meeting he had with nearly all Fortune 500 CEOs. He asked them what they needed most.

They unequivocally said, "a better-educated workforce." Yet many of these same CEOs resist making investments in their L&D programs, with 51% saying they are:

"A waste of time."

Past learning workshops my company delivered have enumerated the significant ROI gained from these programs, including higher engagement and retention rates. We’ve also discussed the C-Suite's responsibility in up-skilling their workforce.

Yet, to what degree of responsibility does the U.S. education system also have when it comes to equipping the next generation with inclusive leadership skills?

To answer this BIG question, Rhodes had a thought-provoking discussion with Rebecca Kling to explore the roles both businesses and the education system play in building a future-ready workforce.

Rebecca is the co-author of The Advocate Educator's Handbook, and is the co-founder of A Better World Collaborative. In this episode, you'll discover:

1) The surprising truth behind why CEOs might see learning programs as a "waste of time."

2) How recent legislative attacks on critical race theory (CRT), LGBTQ+ inclusive and book bans harm future leaders.

3) The alarming rise in school bullying and its impact on students' social-emotional skills (3).

4) Practical strategies for equipping younger generations with the leadership skills needed to thrive in a diverse workplace.

The conversation is a value-add for C-suite executives, DEIB professionals, social justice champions, and anyone passionate about building belonging at work.

Don't miss your chance to connect with a nationally renowned expert on this latest episode of the podcast.

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Rebecca, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of inclusive leaders committed to advancing their DEIB goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our guests 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private Q&A session with our guest.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

To connect with Rebecca Kling please visit: www.rebeccakling.com.

The Advocate Educator website, Better World Collaborative

Many listen to this podcast to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build a workplace where we feel seen, connected, supported, and have a sense of pride on the job – these elements are what it takes to build belonging. To achieve this emotional outcome of belonging, we must be willing to explore and appreciate other people’s worldviews. This exploration includes getting curious about the worldviews of others who may be opposed to our own – especially the values we hold closest to our hearts.

Learning about another person’s worldview encourages us to practice sonder, the realization that each random person you pass is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. Sonder reminds us that each person’s world is filled with their ambitions, friends, fears, routines, joys, beliefs, and behaviors, and until we engage in a respectful dialogue…this rich inner world is 100% invisible to us.

Now in our Belonging Membership Community, we have the opportunity to practice the art of sonder. When we practice sonder, it aligns with our community’s shared value of seeing the humanity in another person, even when we don’t agree with their worldviews. Practicing sonder helps us hone one of the peacebuilding skills many DEIB leaders have, which is the ability to understand human behavior…as unpredictable as it may be…

And today, we have the pleasure of learning from Diana Cutaia, Founder of Coaching Peace Consulting, who will share what it takes to build peace at work and beyond. She will share why these skills are so critical considering the current cultural and political environment we are living through. Diana founded her practice in 2012, with the goal of creating positive and safe cultures that empower its members to lead with empathy and understanding.

Together, our conversation supports DEIB professionals, along with other executives, and those on their way to joining us, by sharing her coaching philosophy and why peacebuilding skills are necessary for current and future workplace leaders. Topics explored during this episode include:

--Diana’s calling to explore the meaning of peace earlier in her life.

--The power of play and connection to cultivate cultures of peace.

--Tactical strategies build cultures that feel like they were designed for you.

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Dr. Carter, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders committed to advancing their DEIB goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our guests 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private Q&A session with our guest.

Website: https://coachingpeace.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachingpeacelive/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianacutaia/

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

In 2020, current US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy authored a powerful treatise on the impact of loneliness and the benefits of human connection. Drawing on rich science, compelling personal stories, and beautiful prose, it explores the high costs of loneliness and considers how individuals, societies, and governments can tackle the problem by promoting human connection by building a belonging society.

The book discovered one of the most common underlying themes of ill health was loneliness, without exemption by wealth, education, or accomplishments. The Surgeon General labeled this as an epidemic and said, “Loneliness and isolation have been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health.” He went on to say that human relationships – connection and belonging – are the medicine that can allow us to heal and live healthier, more fulfilled, and productive lives.

Now in our Belonging Membership Community, we recognize that one important ingredient to building this belonging society is the role of the workplace. Sadly, building belonging cultures at work has yet to take root – it’s a stretch for some of us to even permit ourselves to imagine what a belonging workplace can look and feel like on a full sensory level. As George Washington Carver once said, without vision, there can be no hope.

Fortunately, today we are joined by Cordell Carter, the Aspen Institute’s Founding Director, who will us imagine what a belonging society can be, and we’ll explore how the workplace can play a key role in activating this vision. Cordell is a transformative leader in championing democracy, DEIB, and promoting the greater good. His career journey is as diverse as it is impressive, spanning roles at the White House, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and IBM.

Together, our conversation supports DEIB professionals, along with other executives, and those on their way to joining us, by sharing his belonging society vision. He will also share practical strategies on how our workplaces can play a role into making this vision a reality. Topics explored during this episode include:

--Cordell’s calling to serve as the Founding Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project on Belonging.

--The importance of having a vision, even if that vision feels elusive, and how it can make what feels impossible become a reality.

--The threat of not addressing the global epidemic on exclusion and loneliness, and how building a belonging society and upend it.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordellcarterii/

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/cordell-carter-ii/

https://expectantadvisory.com/#about

https://www.festivalofthediaspora.org/

Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Cordell, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders committed to advancing their DEIB goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our guests 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private Q&A session with our guest.

To learn more about the Belonging Membership Community, please visit: www.belongingmembershipcommunity.com.

And now…let’s jump into today’s conversation…