I had a powerful conversation yesterday with a colleague – Heather Hansen O’Neill. She was asking me about my thoughts regarding bias, assumptions, fear and how they get in the way. During that conversation she asked me a question that I had to think about. Not because I didn’t have an answer. … [Continue reading] A World without Assumptions and Fear…
bias
Addressing Bias in Hiring
Unconscious Bias is a hot topic in the D&I world these days. It’s not surprising then, that the majority of presentations and workshops I have done in the past year have been (at least in part) about unconscious bias. Educating people about what it is and how it works is important and … [Continue reading] Addressing Bias in Hiring
Memory, Diversity and Inclusion
This week I’m re-reading a book by David Cameron Gikandi called A Happy Pocket Full of Money. It’s a great book about the mindset of abundance. I highly recommend it, it’s a fascinating read. It’s my second time through, and of course different things are jumping out at me this time. Here is … [Continue reading] Memory, Diversity and Inclusion
It’s OK to Notice Difference
When you have children in your life, it’s bound to happen that they will say something that embarrasses you in public. Sometimes it’s more painful than other times. But likely every caregiver has had at least one experience where a child has noticed something about someone out loud. What does … [Continue reading] It’s OK to Notice Difference
Serena Williams – part 2
I have had the opportunity of a few discussions about Serena since last week’s blog – all of which I am grateful for. A key component of diversity and inclusion is dialogue and discussion. It’s imperative that we create an environment where we can share our perspectives and expand our awareness in … [Continue reading] Serena Williams – part 2
Musings about Black Panther
Of course I saw Black Panther this past week. Here are a few thoughts. I left the cinema feeling proud. Like the melanin in my skin was an opportunity. I wondered why the person who technically saved the world was a white dude. One of the few in the movie. Really?! Wesley Snipes could … [Continue reading] Musings about Black Panther
What we swear on…?
Three things stand out for me in this clip from Tuesday night’s coverage of the Alabama Senate race in the USA where Doug Jones won. On Tuesday night, following the US election where Doug Jones won, Jake Tapper speaks with one of Roy Moore's spokespeople who doesn't think Muslims should be … [Continue reading] What we swear on…?
How well do you know the people you work with?
A few weeks ago I took an Uber in Washington DC to get to the airport. As we drove, I struck up a conversation with the driver. I like to hear about people’s lives while I’m sitting in the back seat, and I always learn something new – plus I often get to challenge my own biases! Turns out my … [Continue reading] How well do you know the people you work with?
Systemic Racism in many forms…even dolls!
Last week in Calgary, a woman was shopping for dolls for her children at Toys R Us and made a startling discovery – the “dark skinned” doll was priced lower than it’s “lighter skinned” counterpart (those are the words from the CTV new report). Image from: … [Continue reading] Systemic Racism in many forms…even dolls!
Police Accountability and What it Tells us About Unconscious Bias
I have been listening to and reading the news about the guilty verdict (attempted murder) of Constable Forcillo here in Toronto, in the shooting death of Sammy Yatim. I'm probably the last person to have seen the video, and it struck me how many shots were fired as Sammy lay there on the streetcar … [Continue reading] Police Accountability and What it Tells us About Unconscious Bias