Episode 43: Workplace Experience of Minority Employees with Brenda Harrington
Synopsis
Episode 43. Many of our workplaces lack diversity. Whether it be across the company, in a particular meeting or at the leadership level, it is rare to see a group of people that match the ethnic and gender diversity of our communities. So, what does it feel like when you look different?
Brenda Harrington, the author of a book called Access Denied, a compilation that explores discrimination and disparity in the workplace. Whether this subject personally resonates with you or not, this episode will teach you a lot about business culture and open the door to understanding new perspectives.
Brenda believes that when you know where you excel and what you enjoy, you can pivot to a career that feels fulfilling and purposeful. Brenda focuses on emphasizing diversity in the workplace, and during the episode she shines a light on her own personal experiences as well as what being inclusive really looks like.
Key Takeaways and Discussion
Brenda’s career journey and what lead her to start Adaptive Leader Strategies
Why she refers to her path as non-linear as opposed to a journey.
The importance of knowing what you’re good at, what you like, and what you don’t.
Why waiting for Friday, week after week, is not the answer to a satisfying career.
How to show up in your work in a more purposeful way and why it matters.
The secret of using open questions to communicate more dynamically.
Why being vulnerable beats having all the answers.
The settlement Brenda received over an incident with a previous employer.
Why inclusion is a leadership imperative.
What the research shows about diversity.
What the reader will discover inside Brenda’s book Access Denied.
The course Brenda is piloting right now and what it addresses.
Being equitable in the workplace and where holding people accountable comes in.
Why we’re often blinded to the instances of exclusion or even aggression in our own workplaces.
Brenda’s Background
Previously Brenda held management positions with AT&T and Mobil Oil Corporation.
She spent 30+ years in private industries before starting Adaptive Leadership Strategies, her consulting firm providing leadership and professional development programs
Brenda is a certified executive coach who works with global leaders across industries.
Her book website for Access Denied can be found here, or follow on Linked-In