5 Things / Reconnecting

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The number one goal my clients consistently have for my keynotes is to give people tools to connect with others. What’s the solution to a culture where people shut down instead of opening up?

In this case, I’m talking about putting up walls, staying in our “lane”, and avoiding differences. I hear about this problem from clients over and over again. The great disconnect.

Our culture has normalized ridiculing others through memes and satires, mocking identities, beliefs, musical interests, communication styles, age, levels of knowledge, and yes, even party affiliation and voting histories. This exacerbates the us vs. them energy. As a culture, we’re awfully judgmental, especially of other’s mistakes, so of course, it shows up at work.

When I’m afraid of being judged, I can shut down, too. I stay in my lane. I walk on eggshells. We’re all biologically wired to judge others. Yet by judging others, even subconsciously, we perpetuate the disconnect. And on it goes.

It’s time to reconnect. We all need to take ourselves, and even our identities, a little less seriously. But not through ridicule – through play. Through joy. Through laughter. Through shared experiences, through in-person connection.

In that spirit, I’m going to go play some pickleball. But I’m here if you want to talk about this more or bring this topic to your organization.

This Week’s Good Vibes:

1. WNBA Players to Fly Charter Flights

   • WNBA players will now fully travel on charter flights instead of commercial, a monumental stride in player welfare and professional standards, and a benefit long enjoyed by the NBA. This shift addresses safety concerns from players and acknowledges the rigorous demands of the game. It also aligns with the NBA's emphasis on player care. Now we just need to see salaries catch up….

2. American Cancer Society to Study Black Women

   • The American Cancer Society launched the largest-ever study of Black women, who have historically not been well represented in medical research. The "Voices of Black Women" study will track 100,000 Black women over 30 years. Black women have lower breast cancer diagnosis rates than white women, but significantly higher mortality rates. This landmark study will examine the racism, health disparities, and lifestyle factors that influence that outcome. This is such important work.

3. Japan Airlines’ New CEO is a Woman

   • Mitsuko Tottori, the new CEO of Japan Airlines, is a woman, and that’s a big deal. Japan is ranked near the bottom of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index and is the worst-ranked country in Asia, so this news sets a precedent. Tottori actually started at the company as cabin crew so she sets another precedent as well, underscoring the value of diverse career paths. Let’s hope she’s set up for success.

4. Sesame Place Is More Inclusive of Neurodivergence

   • Sesame Place Philadelphia will offer "Low Sensory Days" this June, especially for children with disabilities. The park will offer quieter dining and reduce audiovisual effects to be more inclusive of neurodivergent folks. This initiative follows Sesame Place's 2018 milestone as the world's first Certified Autism Center, with trained staff, and a low-sensory room and noise-canceling headphones available for guests. Let’s hope more days get added. When all children can play, everyone wins.

5. Kate Spade Promotes Mental Health Awareness

   • This Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s nice to celebrate brands doing it right. After Kate Spade died by suicide in 2018, the brand ultimately doubled down on mental health initiatives, including a partnership with Taraji P. Henson's foundation that addresses the mental health of Black women and girls. Ahead of other companies, during the pandemic and a potential merger, the brand introduced no-meeting blocks to prioritize employee wellbeing. By destigmatizing mental health with both their employees and customers, Kate Spade is normalizing this important topic that affects just about everyone somehow.

Call to Action:

Speaking of mental health awareness, I’ve developed a “bag of tricks” to manage my own in times of acute stress. Here are some great quick tips I learned from Ana Del Castillo that you can try in the moment: 6 Ways to Regulate Your System

5 Things / Unique Wisdom

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I’m a lesbian and yesterday was Lesbian Visibility Day. 👋🏻🏳️‍🌈Despite putting myself out there as a speaker and writer for years now, it took me a long time to figure out how I wanted to be in the world. What gender expression feels authentic? How to find the balance between being open and vulnerable while still protecting myself? But those are things many of us navigate.

What I know is that I have a hell of a lot of resilience and empathy because of my sexuality. It’s made me stronger and amplified my gifts and my messages. It’s given me unique wisdom.

But whatever your story is, whoever you are, gives you unique wisdom. Whatever the stories are of the people on your team, even of the people who annoy you, gives them all unique wisdom as well. It would be cool if we took a moment to be curious about each other’s unique wisdom, and the gifts they have from their experiences. The things they can teach us. It all starts with curiosity. My ARC (Ask-Respect-Connect) Method helps.

Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

1. PBS Kids Adds ASL to Six Shows

   • PBS Kids is enhancing accessibility by adding American Sign Language interpreters to popular shows, benefiting children who are deaf or hard of hearing. With content aimed at ages 2 to 8, many kids may not yet read captions, making ASL crucial. Partnering with Bridge Multimedia, PBS conducted user testing to optimize interpreter placement, ensuring seamless integration. ASL versions of six shows are now available online, with plans to expand.

2. Delta Continues to Invest in Employees

   • Delta Airlines is giving a 5% pay raise to over 80,000 ground employees and flight attendants, a 20–25% cumulative increase in comp in 2 years. This rise follows a generous $1.4 billion profit-sharing payment to employees, doubling last year's payout. Delta has a $125 million profit-sharing fund already allocated for next year and has a stable and loyal workforce. Delta’s my favorite airline to follow for this reason…it’s too bad Chicago’s not a hub.

3. Korean Company Uses Korean Names

   • Kakao Games distinguishes itself by abandoning its longstanding tradition of using English names for employees, opting instead to embrace their Korean identities. This unique move underscores the company's respect for individuality and is a departure from the common practice in Korean workplaces. By prioritizing authenticity and inclusion, Kakao Games sets a precedent for other organizations to do the same.

4. Retail/Grocery Employees to Have More Protections

   • Starting July 2025, retail and grocery workers in unincorporated L.A. County gain more control over their schedules, thanks to a new ordinance mandating employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance, offer compensation for last-minute changes, and space out shifts by 10 hours. This policy, mirroring L.A. city's 2022 ordinance, affects around 200 businesses and up to 6,000 workers. With many workers being people of color, this policy promotes equity, fair treatment, and hopefully stability.

5. Dell Sees ERG Success

   • Dell’s Employee resource groups (ERGs) have a 52% participation rate across its 120,000 global employees. They achieved this because CEO Michael Dell mandates that each direct report sponsor an ERG. This leadership buy-in then incentivizes employees to show up! When the leaders are bought-in, great things can happen in DEI. That’s the way it’s done.

This Week’s Call to Action:

Join my next DEI Double Feature: The Belonging Buzzword. I’m hosting it with Michelle Silverthorn on May 8 and you can join right here!

5 Things / Gratitude

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Full transparency: my small firm has been impacted by client budget cuts and priority shifts. This has meant our own budget cuts, priority shifts, and a heartbreaking layoff. I’ve had hard conversations with folks on my team over the past 18 months.

Yet, as I write this, I’m flying to a client event and can’t help but feel such a strong sense of gratitude. Gratitude that organizations are trusting me to deliver a message that will give their employees the tools they need to contribute towards psychological safety on their team, create meaningful connections, and show up just a little more authentically.

It’s a gift that I’m being trusted to deliver this message, especially since I spent years feeling inauthentic in my work.

Thank you for your trust in me, in this little firm I’m building with a fabulous team and a spirit of “better late than never!” and “let’s do this together!” Please respond if I can help you in any way.

Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:

1. USCIS Now Offers Gender X

   • United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced an X gender option on naturalization forms, a crucial step for gender-nonconforming immigrants. This aligns with the US passport policy and global trends, like Pakistan and Mexico's inclusion of third-gender options. This is a big stride towards recognizing diverse gender identities and dismantling barriers to accessing immigration benefits, fostering a more equitable and accessible pathway to citizenship for all.

2. Shift from Autism Awareness to Acceptance

   • President Biden shifts from "Autism Awareness" to "Autism Acceptance" in this year’s proclamation. This reflects a broader movement advocated by autistic self-advocates to foster a society that accommodates and includes autistic individuals, moving away from fear-based awareness campaigns. While some organizations will still use "awareness," the shift highlights a growing understanding that acceptance is crucial for true inclusion and creating welcoming communities.

3. Innovative Trans Employment Project

   • California pioneered the nation's inaugural large-scale initiative to combat the disproportionately high unemployment rates among transgender folks, especially trans people of color. As an incentive to owners and managers to hire trans staff, the first 60 hours of a new hire's wages will be paid for through a $150,000 grant from the California Workforce Development Board. To qualify, owners or managers must attend a seminar on the issues that trans people face at work and how to support trans staff. I absolutely love this initiative because it removes significant barriers to employment and even paves the way for broader societal acceptance.

4. First Watch Employees Get Caregiver Benefits

   • The brunch restaurant First Watch introduced groundbreaking childcare and elder care benefits, partnering with Bright Horizons to offer discounted rates for employees. This move addresses the industry-wide issue of caretaking responsibilities hindering upward mobility, especially for women. The initiative is a rarity in the industry! The benefits are available for all employees, both part-time and full-time, regardless of their position within the company. This approach ensures that all hourly employees (who are disproportionately women and BIPOC) have more options to address the challenges of balancing work and family obligations.

5. First Arab Woman Graduates from NASA

   • Emirati Nora AlMatrooshi's journey became the first Arab woman to graduate from NASA's astronaut training. NASA even set her up with a custom hijab within the spacesuit. I appreciate that this shows the agency's commitment to accommodating diverse backgrounds in space exploration. AlMatrooshi is a great possibility model, showing that women of all backgrounds can belong in space.

This Week’s Call to Action:

Book recommendation time! Check out The Boldly Inclusive Leader by my friend Minette Norman. There are some great stories in this book that illustrate the principles of inclusive leadership. Minette has seen A LOT!

5 Things / Watched

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“I completely agree! Diversity is important to hear every side of the story.” -PatrickPlayz

My 13-year-old son was home sick from school and at his other house last Monday. He got a notification that I was going live on YouTube and popped in to watch my 5 Things in 15 Minutes show with my guest Latia Vaughan. He chimed in with a comment.

Latia and I had a good laugh in the moment, but as I was re-telling the story later, I really was proud of him. He’s firmly in his eye-roll 🙄phase. Yet his sweet little comment reminded me that he’s listening to what I say, watching me, and, hopefully, only occasionally rolling his eyes.

What a good reminder to keep leading with love.

This Week’s Good Vibes:

1. Malcolm X Gets His Recognition in Nebraska

   • In this week’s better late than never, Malcolm X's induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame and plans for a bust at the State Capitol and a new cultural center and museum signal a milestone in civil rights recognition. He was born in Nebraska and although he made a profound impact on the civil rights movement, these honors arrived supremely late, thanks to racial inequities. But here, we celebrate all forms of societal progress amidst the ongoing struggle for equality. Nebraska's acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the enduring fight for justice and unity, echoing Malcolm X's commitment to activism and social change.

2. Four-Day Workweeks in France and Germany

   • France and Germany are both embracing the concept of a four-day workweek but with different approaches and motivations. In France, divorced parents with shared custody will soon enjoy a four-day workweek, aligning with efforts to promote shared parenting and improve work-life balance. Meanwhile, Germany is conducting a six-month trial with 45 companies. The aim is to enhance productivity, retain talent, and address labor shortages. These initiatives reflect a trend toward reevaluating traditional work structures and prioritizing employee well-being.

3. To Increase Diversity, Hire Differently

   • Karat, a tech recruiting provider, innovates hiring practices by offering off-hour interviews and interview redos, fostering diversity and efficiency. Women of color, in particular, are more likely to schedule interviews outside regular hours, with around 42% opting for off-hour slots. They also embrace interview redos, with 22% taking the opportunity, resulting in higher job offer acceptance rates. This approach highlights the importance of flexibility and inclusivity in modern recruitment efforts, offering a blueprint for companies seeking diverse talent pools.

4. Stolen Artifacts Returned to Japan

   • The FBI helped return 22 stolen Japanese artifacts, including portraits and a hand-drawn map of Okinawa, back to Japan. The Japanese treasures, some dating back to the 1700s, were found among a World War II veteran's belongings with a note indicating they were stolen at the end of the war. Thanks to the family's honesty, these artifacts that honor the rich cultural heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom are headed back home. The search continues for other missing artifacts so the quest continues to preserve and restore cultural treasures worldwide.

5. Women's Hockey Continues to Set Records

   • The PWHL, or Professional Women's Hockey League, is debuting at the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens on April 20th. It’s the largest hockey arena in North America and tickets for the game sold out in under 20 minutes! Women’s sports are here to stay and the crowds are here for it so the investors will be, too.

This Week’s Call to Action:

If you like 5 Things, then check out “5 Ally Actions”, Karen Catlin’s weekly newsletter that’s been around for 6 years! Subscribe here to get “5 everyday actions to create a more inclusive workplace.”

5 Things / Outside of HR

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Last year we had a client choose not to renew their contract with us because DEI lived in Human Resources, had no protected budget, and they “had to prioritize employee salaries.” Well, when you put it that way…

I recently caught up with someone I’ve known for years now. Six months into their new role as VP of DEI, they were positively giddy about the amount of support they had. They report to the CDO who reports to the CEO. While they have to take baby steps, they’re accomplishing a lot.

As this person shared with me, it’s a huge advantage when DEI is not part of Human Resources. Not only is their budget protected, but they’re able to think strategically about the way DEI fits into other business objectives. With a near direct line to the CEO, they’re in a position to keep forward momentum.

That’s how you do it (and ICYMI my book and our DEI consulting methodology is called Inclusive 360 for that very reason!)

This Week’s Good Vibes:

1. Charlotte Tilbury Promotes Women in Motorsports

   • Charlotte Tilbury makes history as the first female-founded beauty brand to sponsor the 2024 F1 Academy, aiming to empower female drivers. Through this alliance, Tilbury pledges to elevate the careers of 15 young women drivers, breaking barriers in a heavily male-dominated field, and fostering awareness and opportunities for women in sports. There’s even a Charlotte Tilbury car: it’s branded night crimson and rose gold, symbolizing the fusion of glamour and racing.

2. Walmart Creates a Pipeline for AI Talent

   • Walmart is aiming to fast-track employees into 100,000 well-paying AI and tech jobs in three years by shifting education perks to expand short-form certificates to over 50. They’re reducing their degree program to allow for the certificate program expansion, but employees want it – and this offers the potential for quicker career advancement for non-degreed workers. This benefit is for frontline employees, too, many of whom are BIPOC.

3. Unilever Hires People With Disabilities Behind the Camera

   • Last year, Unilever launched its "Believe in Talent" initiative, mandating disability representation behind the camera, and addressing a longstanding lack of diversity in advertising. With only 1% of ads featuring disabled individuals, Unilever's move aims to reshape industry norms by committing to hiring people with disabilities behind the camera on every ad over $107k. Unilever also developed an open-source toolkit for creating inclusive production spaces. It’s all part of Unilever's broader "Act 2 Unstereotype" initiative, driving structural changes in marketing to combat prejudice and promote diversity.

4. Historic Donation to Albert Einstein College of Medicine

   • A landmark $1 billion donation to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, located in one of the poorest parts of NYC, abolishes tuition fees, providing life-changing opportunities for under-supported students. The donation was made by Ruth Gottesman. With an average medical school debt of $202,453, this donation reshapes medical education, offering hope and access to diverse, aspiring doctors. This is a huge win when there’s a physician shortage. I’m blown away by the power of wealth in fostering equity.

5. New Jersey to Recognize LGBTQ+ Businesses

   • The State of New Jersey will soon recognize LGBTQ+ business certification, alongside women, people of color, and veterans. NJ will only be the third state to recognize LGBTQ businesses in supplier diversity spending in procurement. Supplier diversity is a significant step towards equity and economic inclusion for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs…and btw, Equality Institute is a certified LGBTBE.

This Week’s Call to Action:

Learn about Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teen in Oklahoma who was bullied and beaten by classmates and later died. Oklahoma legislators are currently considering 54 anti-LGBTQ bills. It’s a really tough time to be a young trans person.