To help companies foster diverse and inclusive work environments, leveraging varied ways of thinking and problem-solving for better decision-making.
Diverse teams bring a range of perspectives, leading to more thoughtful and resilient decisions, as illustrated by the hypothetical case of Lehman Brothers having diverse leadership.
Different generations have varying expectations regarding work-life balance and job satisfaction, with younger employees seeking fulfilling and flexible work environments.
By creating rich experiences that allow employees to grow and thrive within the company, reducing the turnover rate typical of younger generations.
Focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses can transform employees into top performers, as demonstrated by her experience at Cisco where an employee was shifted to a role better suited to their strengths.
She supports the four-day workweek but emphasizes the need to eliminate unproductive meetings and tasks to ensure a healthier work environment and promote innovation.
It will cover strategies for navigating challenging conversations and building respectful workplaces, particularly relevant in today's polarized world.
In this insightful episode of Founder's Story, host Daniel Robbins sits down with Marilyn Nagel, a seasoned leader in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and Co-Founder of Risequity. Marilyn shares her journey, the importance of diverse and inclusive workplaces, and her advocacy for effective communication in today’s rapidly evolving work environments.
Key Discussion Points:
Why Risequity?
Marilyn explains the inspiration behind Risequity, which was founded to help companies foster diverse and inclusive work environments. She emphasizes that diversity goes beyond demographics—it includes varied ways of thinking and problem-solving, which leads to better decision-making.
The Value of a Diverse Workforce
Marilyn and Daniel discuss how diverse teams outperform non-diverse ones due to their range of perspectives. Marilyn illustrates this with a compelling example: "If Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters, it might still be around." She advocates for diverse leadership as a pathway to more thoughtful and resilient companies.
Addressing the Needs of a Multigenerational Workforce
Marilyn discusses how different generations view work-life balance and job satisfaction. As more younger employees seek fulfilling and flexible work environments, Risequity helps companies create workplaces where employees can thrive and grow in their roles without feeling the need to leave.
Leveraging Employee Strengths
Marilyn emphasizes focusing on employees' strengths rather than weaknesses. She shares a powerful example from her time as Chief Diversity Officer at Cisco, where shifting an employee to a role better suited to their strengths transformed them into a top performer. She advocates using tools like StrengthsFinder to align roles with individual capabilities.
The Rise of the Four-Day Workweek
Marilyn shares her support for the four-day workweek, stressing the need to eliminate unproductive meetings and unnecessary tasks. She argues that reducing work hours without overloading schedules can lead to a healthier work environment and promote innovation.
Upcoming Webinar on Civility in the Workplace
Marilyn highlights an upcoming webinar on "Civility in the Workplace in Turbulent Times," featuring communication expert Sherry Browning. Set for November 12th at noon PST, the webinar will cover strategies for navigating challenging conversations and building respectful workplaces—timely advice for an increasingly polarized world.
Noteworthy Quotes:
Connect with Risequity and Register for the Webinar:
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