5 Things / No Matter Why
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / No Matter Why

If you’re a long-time reader of 5 Things, you may have noticed that it doesn’t matter to me why an organization decides to “do the right thing” – to embed equity and inclusion into its systems as a way to accelerate the promises of diversity.

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5 Things / The Sales Team
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / The Sales Team

This week I met with a client to prepare for an upcoming keynote. We were discussing some of the company’s DEI challenges, and I heard the familiar comment, “We struggle to get the sales team to care. They don’t get why it’s important.”

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5 Things / Fired
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Fired

Around this time last year, we were fired by a consulting client. Although I was upset when it happened, I’m grateful for the lessons learned.

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5 Things / High Potentials
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / High Potentials

This week I facilitated a conversation with a client about my book Inclusive 360. In the conversation, I was struck by how often my conversations around DEI quickly focus on hiring for diversity. Yes, that’s important, but data tells us that at the entry-level of organizations, the percentage of men vs women, and White people vs BIPOC are fairly balanced. The gaps widen as employees are promoted. Classic unconscious bias.

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5 Things / Everybody In
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Everybody In

This week the U.S. Congress passed a significant and transformative climate bill that President Biden is expected to sign. Among many other things, the law will provide many incentives for shifts to clean energy, including rebates for car buyers. 

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