A Leader Like Me: Building a Culture of Inclusivity A Leader Like Me

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 demographics, Courtney explains the shift towards a more holistic approach that appreciates intersectional identities. Despite resistance and misconceptions, the trio emphasises DEI's value to organizations drawn from data and real-life experiences.
The episode delves into the inspiring work of the Obama Foundation, focusing on the imminent Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The Foundation's noble mission to inspire, empower, and connect future leaders complements its robust training and recruitment efforts to create thriving job opportunities within overlooked communities.
The Obama Foundation's global digital plan, leadership programming, and business diversity policy further illustrate its dedication to accessibility and community empowerment. The episode concludes by shedding light on Courtney's personal and professional triumphs and the enriching experience of working at the Foundation.
 
Notes from the show: 
Find out more about the Obama Foundation and sign up for their newsletters at www.obama.org or @obama across social media. 
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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. 
 
Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
Building a Culture of Inclusivity
Effective Internal Communication For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/
Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to post on social media. Don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
 

“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 Like Me, explore the challenges of sustaining inclusion in different organization.
 
Priya and Advita reveal A Leader Like Me's exciting new direction and how they can help bridge the gap between awareness and action.
 
Join us as we explore evidence-based strategies that drive real change.
 
Don't miss out! Tune in each Thursday for a new episode with a new guest and be inspired, empowered, and ready to make a positive impact.
 
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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. 

Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
 
Building a Culture of Inclusivity
Effective Internal Communication For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
 
Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/
 
Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
 
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to head to social media and don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.

"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 serve."
 
Shruti Saujani 
 
In the final episode of Amplifying Diverse Voices season 3, Advita Patel and Priya Bates, Co-founders of A Leader Like Me, were delighted to be joined by Shruti Saujani from the Football Association where she's the EDI lead Equity Diversity and Inclusion. Shruthi is super passionate about making sports for all.
 
Dive into the world of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in sports as Shruti shares her inspiring story and passion for making a difference.
 
Discover how she transformed her dreams inspired by "Bend It Like Beckham" into a reality, breaking barriers for South Asian women in the sports arena. 
 
Join us as we explore Shruti's journey, her recognition as a sports industry next-gen leader, and the impactful initiatives she leads to empower underrepresented groups and reshape the industry of sports making it more inclusive and diverse. 
 
Don't miss out! Tune in now to be inspired, empowered, and ready to make a positive impact.
 
Connect with Shruti to follow her inspiring journey: Shruti Saujani on LinkedIn 
__
 
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. 

Stay tuned for weekly episodes of season 3 of Amplifying Diverse Voices.
 
Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
 
Building a Culture of Inclusivity
Effective Internal Communication For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
 
Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/
 
Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
 
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to head to social media and don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.

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. 
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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 Economics, infusing academic precision into his work. Dr. Jonathan's evidence-based approach, fueled by captivating case studies and global perspectives, is the key to building inclusive organizations where everyone thrives. 
Uncover the truth about unconscious bias training, the pitfalls of performative gestures, and the critical importance of evidence-based inclusion
During the episode, Dr. Jonathan highlighted the importance of evidence-based inclusion, emphasizing the need to move beyond generic solutions and understand how diversity uniquely matters to each organization.
 
Join us as we challenge the norms and explore the real impact of diversity initiatives.
 
Tune in to be inspired and informed!
 
Connect with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey on LinkedIn  
Or visit: elementofinclusion.com/ 
Read also: So Good They Can't Ignore You  by Cal Newport.
---
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. 

Stay tuned for weekly episodes of season 3 of Amplifying Diverse Voices.
 
Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
 
https://www.koganpage.com/product/building-a-culture-of-inclusivity-9781398610392 

Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/
 
Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com 
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
 
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to head to social media and don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.

"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 
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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 aspects of human resources. David has a diverse career background including financial services, IT, manufacturing, retail and social housing. 
 
Discover how to navigate the challenges of ownership, build strong partnerships, and create an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. David's thought-provoking insights will leave you inspired to lead with kindness, empathy, and a commitment to unlocking the potential of those around you.
 
Listen in to learn about the ever-evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, how it impacts organizations across different sectors, and why this journey might be longer than we initially thought.
 
Tune in to be inspired and informed!
 
Connect with David Blackburn on LinkedIn
 
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. 

Stay tuned for weekly episodes of season 3 of Amplifying Diverse Voices.
 
Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
 
https://www.koganpage.com/product/building-a-culture-of-inclusivity-9781398610392 

Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/
 
Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com 
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
 
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to head to social media and don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.

"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  
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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 different sectors, and why this journey might be longer than we initially thought.
Don't miss this opportunity to understand the driving force behind the GDEIB and the ongoing push for inclusive excellence. 
 
Dive into a captivating conversation that unveils the powerful journey towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In this enlightening dialogue, our guests discuss the value of the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) and their impact on organizations worldwide. They explore why the GDEIB has gained significant recognition and how it serves as a pivotal tool for assessing DEI strategies.
 
Tune in to be inspired and informed!
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GDEIB is a phenomenal guide for what could be the greatest systemic transformation of work in this century.  
Learn more about the GDEIB
 
Connect with our guests:
 
 Julie O'Mara LinkedIn
 
Alan Richter LinkedIn 
 
Nene Molefi LinkedIn 
 
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. 

Stay tuned for weekly episodes of season 3 of Amplifying Diverse Voices.
 
Don't miss out. Get your copy of the book now and be part of the DEI conversation.
 
https://www.koganpage.com/product/building-a-culture-of-inclusivity-9781398610392 

Want to evaluate where your business stands when it comes to the EI? Visit our website to learn more:
 
https://aleaderlikeme.com/

Have any questions? Would you like to book Priya and or Advita for a speaking event? Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@aleaderlikeme.com 
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @aleaderlikeme.
 
If you read our book and would like to give us your honest review, feel free to head to social media and don't forget to use the #ALLME and tag us.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.