5 Things / Lead with Values
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I recently met with a new client, an architecture firm with a vision to help communities build their future. A lot of their work is in historical preservation. In our meeting, the President shared, “When we see an old building, we don’t want to make assumptions about what’s possible.”
I lit up because it’s clear our values are aligned: they don’t make assumptions with buildings, so let’s certainly not do it with people. (Many of you have heard me speak about assumptions in my keynotes.)
DEI work should be connected to your organization’s values or guiding principles. Doing so makes it easier to get stakeholder buy-in for your goals. It also makes it easier to respond to DEI resisters: we’re doing this initiative because (putting people first / valuing diversity / fill in the blank) is one of our values.
Always lead with your values. One of my firm’s values is “Be guided by optimism.” Can’t you tell?
MLB’s First Woman Play-by-Play Announcer
Jenny Cavnar makes history as the first woman to serve as a lead play-by-play announcer for a Major League Baseball club, the Oakland A's. With 18 years of broadcasting experience and accolades like five Emmy Awards, Cavnar's appointment marks a significant milestone for women in baseball. In 2018, she became the first woman in decades to broadcast MLB play-by-play. In a very male-dominated industry, this is a huge win for increased representation and diversity in broadcasting.
Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption
Greece legalized same-sex marriage, making it the first Christian Orthodox-majority nation to do so. The legislation, passed 176-76 in parliament, also permits adoption for same-sex couples. Despite opposition from the Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis championed the law as a step towards ending inequality. This move aligns Greece with 15 other EU countries and 35 nations globally that recognize same-sex marriage. Remember, there are 195 countries, so I’ll be celebrating these wins for a while!
Mamava's Lactation Pods Revolutionize Support for Nursing Parents
Mamava, a company that developed lactation pods following the enactment of the PUMP Act, is experiencing a 30% growth in usage and now has 4000+ pods installed nationwide. Employers, including car dealerships like Fowler Automotive (in 11 states), are embracing these pods as essential amenities, and it’s helped increase employee diversity and retention. This creates a supportive environment for nursing parents and provides an oasis to pump in peace.
Lyft Expands Pilot to Prioritize Safety and Inclusion
After a successful pilot, with 67% of eligible drivers opting in, Lyft has nationally expanded its feature pairing women and non-binary riders with similar drivers. Only 23% of Lyft drivers are women, despite women constituting half of all riders. The goal is to create a win-win: attract more women and nonbinary Lyft drivers (who then have more earning power) by creating a more comfortable and secure environment for them by allowing riders to prioritize matches with others who share their gender identity. Both drivers and riders can turn on this setting to improve everyone’s comfort and safety.
RIP Bob Moore
Bob Moore, the founder of Bob’s Red Mill (which makes whole grain products), recently passed away at 94. In 2010, he established an employee stock ownership plan for his employees and the company remains 100% employee-owned (700+ employees). This is VERY rare! By doing so, Bob challenged traditional business models, setting a precedent for ethical leadership and social responsibility, and fostered a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. RIP, Bob.
This Week’s Call to Action
It’s Lunar New Year, the year of the Dragon! In Chicago, the big parade is today. Learn more about the tradition in this DEI Double Feature with Lisa Ong.