In this enlightening episode, hosts Priya Bates and Advita Patel chat with the remarkable Courtney Williams about building a culture of inclusivity and diversity. They reflect on their personal identities beyond professional achievements, stressing the importance of authenticity and the role of diverse perspectives in driving business success. The dialogue touches on the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over the last decade. While acknowledging the initial focus on racial...

“And when we think about inclusive cultures, you know, a lot of people talk about bringing their whole selves to work. To me, that's a bit of a misnomer, I think you should show up to work as you are meant to be. And when you think about the why of the work, the diverse and inclusive culture gives you a better work output.” Courtney Williams    In this episode Priya and Advita, Co-founders of A Leader Like Me, are joined by Courtney Williams, the Communications Director at the Obama...

“We're focused on KPIs, we're focused on actually driving change, helping people through that change through the communications expertise. And it's really, it's all connected. And it's embedded,”            - Priya Bates    Welcome to a bonus episode of A Leader Like Me, where we launch our new season in which we'll be getting real about Building a culture of inclusion with the leaders who are making it happen.   In this bonus episode, Advita Patel and Priya Bates, Co-founders of A Leader...

"I want sport to be more reflective of the world that we live in. So that is representation from a diversity point of view. But also, treating people as a whole. A person is not just a person of color. There's so many other characteristics and lived experiences that an individual brings. So it's about accepting a person as a whole, and really creating that belonging for them to be whoever they want in whichever sport they play. And hoping that we do reflect the society that we live in, and...

Inclusion work is not about flags, food, and fun. It's about execution, strategies, tactics, and most importantly, impact. Let's move beyond performative gestures and dive into the real conversations that drive change.  --- In this episode, Priya and Advita, co-founders of A Leader Like Me are joined by Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey, a leading expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Dr. Jonathan is a speaker, broadcaster, and inclusion advocate, he holds a PhD from the London School of...

"Your DEI strategy should not be some separate thing that sits over here, it should be a light. It should be through the center of your business strategy. It should be touching every single bit of what your business is doing. It should be central to your mission and your vision.   - David Blackburn  --- In this episode, Priya and Advita, co-founders of A Leader Like Me are joined by be inspiring, David Blackburn, a senior manager executive with over 25 years of experience in leading all...

"Yes, we want equality, but the world is not equal. For us to get to equality, you need to go through equitable practices." - Nene Molefi   --- In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by the three co-authors of The Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World, Nene Molefi, Julie O’Mara, and Alan Richter, PhD   Listen in to learn about the ever-evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, how it impacts organizations across...

"'When we know our why, then we feel less the how.' If I know why this is important, why it's important for my organization, when I can connect, sit not simply with the business imperative, which is clear and proven, but also the moral imperative, when I know why, there is nothing that will stop me, I will find a way through."   - Sharon Amesu  ---   In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by Sharon Amesu, an exceptional advocate for inclusion with a background as a successful criminal...

*I think a safe space.(for active communication) that is maintained by leaders and where leaders aren't afraid to apologize, or to stand back and listen, rather than to decree… maintains itself to a degree, and that sometimes the lines get crossed but people will often pull themselves back by themselves without needing to be corrected or admonished.*    In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by Matthew Burgess, Principal Consultant at Work Networks.  Get ready to embark on a captivating...

"I think on the whole, it's a good idea, especially for the big brands to get that voice out there and get those voices represented and heard and to bring that awareness because of the influence that these big brands can have.... And I'd be really interested to see how some of the bigger brands tackle more representation beyond the most obvious ones." Vardeep Edwards In this episode, Advita Patel and Priya Bates, Co-founders of A Leader Like Me, host the fabulous Vardeep Edwards, founder of...

"Understanding your audience, knowing the business case for what you're talking about and using the language for whom you're talking to, that's a recipe for success." - Zahid Mubarik CEO of HR Metrics In this episode Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of A Leader Like Me, sit down with Zahid Mubarak, CEO of HR Metrics, an internationally acclaimed thinker, writer, speaker, thought leader and influencer on human capital development with the goal of helping people unleash their...

"But allyship is something that's very actionable that you can do... It's sit down at the table, reach out, get to know people who look and experience different things than you do... You have to start somewhere with that understanding of another person's perspective. And then using the platform or the opportunities or the access that you have to increase those opportunities for others."   In our first episode of Amplifying Diverse Voices season 3, we were joined by Ann Melinger, the CEO of...

Season 2 bonus episode.: A final look at our book journey.   Did you know? you can now order Priya and Advita's new book Building a Culture of Inclusivity   Order from https://www.koganpage.com/ Discount Code ALLME20   The book is available in most online stores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Indigo etc… and in some physical ones as well.   Please note: The book has been launched in the UK but will be launched in North America on June 27th. - After putting a hold on season...

"You are not busy, you just have different priorities." - Advita Patel (Jenny).  In this episode of Amplifying Diverse Voices Priya and Advita talk about the different priorities we have, especially when it comes to the DEI space. To support something is to prioritize it. Often times, when it comes to being active in the DEI space, people are always "too busy". However, it's not about being busy but about having different priorities on their list of focus.  Many people say that they support...

In this episode, Priya and Advita take us through the inspiring and interesting conversations they've had during their session at CommsHero Week.  Advita and Priya share some of the topics that came up during the session they've hosted this week in CommsHero which was on The integral role of inclusive comms in equality, diversity and inclusion.    Book your tickets for our Diversity in Action 22 Dates: November 7-11 Two sessions daily with a diverse list of guest speakers.  Tickets live...

"Because it isn't just about that showing face right and showing that we're doing the right thing, it's about making sure that you're genuinely interested in what people have to say and you're allowing them to speak up about some of the trauma and the triggers that some of these campaigns cause," - Advita Petal.    In this episode, Priya and Advita talk about the difference between performative action and performance in the DEI space.    Advita and Priya discuss the various performative...

This episode is dedicated to talk about the inspiration behind Priya and Advita's book as well as the theme for our third conference titled Diversity In Action.    According to Priya Bates (she/her) and Advita Petal (she/her) Co-founders of A Leader Like Me, the inspiration behind their book and our upcoming conference theme was none other then the author and DEI advocate Ruchika Tulshyan.   Ruchika Tulshyan is a passionate advocate and speaker for amplifying the voices of women in the...

"The fear complex against another nation, race or class is born of suspicion of the motives of the people who are group behind the enemy symbol," Alexander R. Heron, quoted by Advita Patel.  Join Priya Bates (she/her) and Advita Patel (she/her) Co-founders of A Leader Like Me in this episode as they journey through the history of internal communications.  Advita and Priya discuss internal comms from its early beginnings, its ties to underrepresented women and religion to the current form we...

In this episode Priya and Advita discuss the current behaviours, emotions and grief we saw after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.  Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, many emotions have surfaced due to the complicated and complex history of the British Monarchy. There will be colleagues, friends and peers who may not have the same viewpoints or opinions as you, and it's essential to recognize that these feelings are valid. We don't have any right to tell people how they should feel or...

DEI "isn't just the responsibility of one department, you have to work collaboratively across all the divisions, departments and leaders to make the impact you need to make," -Advita Petal.   In this episode Advita and Priya discuss the responsibility of internal communications in the #DiversityEquityAndInclusion space and the role IC has in cultivating inclusive cultures in the workplace.    Priya and Advita arise the question of why should internal communications care about DEI and...

The procrastination club: all about being Deadline Driven  After finishing the first two chapters of their book, Priya Bates (she/her) and Advita Patel (she/her) founders of A Leader Like Me talk about being deadline driven. Although they only met 50% of the deadline for submitting the chapters, both talked about their experience meeting their deadline.    They also talk about the doubts that we have and the nervousness about people's reactions when presenting them with your...

“Comfort is the enemy of progress” -PT Barnum, referenced by Advita Patel As we strive towards making a meaningful difference in the world of work, listen to S2:E4 for a deeper look into free vs. linear thinking, the ‘big why’, written prioritization, sectioning, research and reports, accurately referencing sources, the utility of index cards, leveraging your positive voice and having an accountability partner to help keep you on the right track. Priya and Advita also mention and discuss...

“Here’s the proof, here’s the support, here’s the information that is credible.” –Priya Bates Priya and Advita are back with a quick segment on how they’ve been leveraging research and data to support their book content plans! When researching, it is essential to really think about what we’re reading, evaluate the pros and cons of what we’re trying to say, and consider how we can effectively communicate initiatives around leadership and trust. Advita reminds us to avoid falling into the...

“Do a brain dump, get your thoughts on paper, then get started with the editing.” –Chaya Mistry In light of being honest with our vulnerabilities, Priya and Advita are back with a quick segment on how we can face our fears head on! This episode also explores themes of purpose, accountability and a look at Kogan Page’s book process so far. As Priya kindly reminds us, the discomfort zone is where our growth happens. Viewing ourselves with curiosity, not judgement, allows us to take flight and...