Inclusion starts with intentionality, whether it’s the way I move through the world, interact with others, or create space for collaboration and growth. Just as my personal practices have taught me to trust my body and mind, they have also taught me to trust the value of diverse voices and experiences. The diversity of my being allows me to show up authentically, whether I’m working in a professional setting or connecting with others in my personal life. It reminds me that balance isn’t about perfection but about creating harmony and openness, both within myself and in the world around me.
The hard work starts now
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are deeply rooted in principles of change management and organisational development, providing a structural framework for implementing systemic and lasting change. I think working in the DEI space can be emotionally demanding, requiring self-awareness and self-care to prevent burnout. DEI practitioners must remain introspective, recognise their limits, and prioritise their well-being to sustain their efforts. Additionally, expertise in DEI often stems from hands-on experience and a process of trial and error. Many traditional approaches and frameworks are not formally documented, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.
Diversity questions
I think that leaders create culture, and culture drives behaviour, and behaviour produces results.
Why is our diversity training failing?
What can we do to really drive organisational change?
How do we learn and truly embed change into our organisation?
When we learn about diversity, what are we learning?
How will we create a psychological safe space in our organisation?
If any of the above questions are reflective of what is happening in your organisation, please contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a meeting.
““If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have power, then your job is to empower.””
DEI maturity audit
Are you aware of which phase your organisation currently occupies?
Phase one involves simple awareness and compliance. In phase two, organisations recognise the business benefits of DEI and take action beyond HR and compliance. Moving into phase three, leaders integrate DEI into business processes, measure progress, and hold each other accountable for results. Finally, in phase four, DEI becomes ingrained in the culture, essentially taken for granted as "the way we do business here."
Contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a DEI maturity audit meeting.
Sharing simple stories
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is on the agenda for every organisation, business, school, government etc., not only because of its business case, but also because it’s the right thing to do. Despite the sudden rise and talk in boardrooms, companies, HR, schools etc., the current DEI landscape still suffers from the lack of global standards in the field, the lack of consensus on how to define and measure success of DEI implementation. The gap between intention and action is growing. Our team of DEI experts understands all of this and are available to help organisations navigate these caveats. Contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a meeting.
How people think?
In today´s world, most organisations are becoming increasingly global in their operations, attracting talent with diverse backgrounds, skills, and competencies from around the world. To build a seamless and well-functioning team, cultural intelligence is needed to facilitate communication and collaboration. Our mission is to be the preferred consultancy supporting companies bridge cultural differences between and within markets. Would your organisation like to have a better relationship with your business partners or clients from another national or cultural backgrounds? Contact me here, or via e-mail to arrange a meeting.
Manoeuvring between tribes
Effectively measuring a product or service lies in the realm of how it makes people feel. My ability to connect the dots stems from a wealth of diverse experiences, allowing me to see the connection between seemingly unrelated things. This capacity is rooted in psychology rather than technology. In my experience delving into psychology proves more fruitful than pursuing rational improvements when trying to enhance people's emotional experiences.
““I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ”
The elephant in the room
Last week, the Danish Institute of Human Rights published their report highlighting the shocking state of affairs in Denmark regarding racial discrimination, and this has been well documented in the Danish media. It appears that there are many Danes and organisations who don’t want to ask the question, as they don’t want to face the facts because they know that they are going to have to do something. Conversations about race, class and gender in the workplace aren't easy and I think it’s essential to ensure people are seen and heard. Leaders usually listen with the prime objective to make things better and solve problems, sometimes all their team members want is to be heard. Contact me via e-mail to book a speech, workshop or coaching sessions.
Attitude and impacts
I think a diverse workforce closes the gap between a company and the consumer. If customers look into that mirror and don’t see themselves reflected back, they are more likely to search for a business that they feel does reflect them. Decades of research and studies have proved that diverse and inclusive workforces will outperform homogenous teams because they often think more logically, are more creative, and are more adept at identifying errors in thinking. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The more diverse your workforce, the better equipped you are to balance out one person’s weaknesses with another person’s strengths. A representative workforce will help you understand consumer values, needs, and wants, and will help your organisation to recruit the dynamic and vocal Generation Z.
““Ability determines if you can; attitude determines if you will.” ”
Juneteenth
c/o Adobe
Yesterday, our American friends celebrated Juneteenth, which is a new federal holiday to mark the official end of slavery in the United States, symbolising the triumph of freedom over oppression. Understanding this history is crucial to fully comprehend the legacy of slavery and its impact on American society, it’s also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and social justice. We must remember that the whole discussion around diversity and inclusion is not unique to America. I look forward to the day when embracing cultural understanding and the respect for diverse experiences becomes a norm in society.
Disparity in roles
Some degree of disparity will emerge from preference because preference emerges from individual circumstances, for example, upbringing, experiences, and cultural background. Different groups of people growing up in diverse environments are likely to develop different preferences as a result. And It’s important to acknowledge this aspect when considering disparities among various groups. While biases can play a role in perpetuating disparities, it is not the sole determinant. Understanding the multifaceted nature of preferences and considering various influences, including upbringing, can provide a more comprehensive perspective on the matter.
I think that it’s crucial to acknowledge the influence of upbringing and other factors on preferences, it does not dismiss the existence of bias or discrimination. Bias can still contribute to disparities, especially when it comes to systemic issues and unequal opportunities. Striving for a fair and inclusive society involves examining and addressing all relevant factors, including both conscious and unconscious biases, as well as other contextual influences.
Don't be afraid to admit it
The term 'affinity bias' is used in neuropsychology to describe an unconscious bias that causes people to gravitate toward others who appear to be like them (including those with similar interests, backgrounds, and appearances). I think the best way we can reduce unconscious bias and achieve a culture of equality is to become aware of them. It’s important to note that biases, conscious or unconscious, are not limited to ethnicity and race.
One of the greatest values of interacting with people who are different is the mirror it provides on seeing my own identity. Contact me via e-mail if you want your employees and leaders to learn more about discrimination, biases, and stereotyping, through unconscious bias training workshops.
“”Diversity training doesn’t work!” ”
The key to diversity
The ability to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses is essential to leading an organisation. I think passion for the work and mission of one’s organisation is the fuel for a successful organisation as it impacts the other main principles in many direct and indirect ways. Diversity can be a competitive advantage because by having people from different perspectives looking at challenges and problems, you will get fresh solutions that are turning into business success. Everyone is biased, whether it’s an unconscious bias, cognitive bias, or misguided perceptions with regards to consumers.
How can each of you be so certain you are right?
The Blind Men and the Elephant - A poem by John G. Saxe
A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: "We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable". So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it.
The first blind man reached out and touched the side of the huge animal. "An elephant is smooth and solid like a wall!" he declared. "It must be very powerful." The second blind man put his hand on the elephant's limber trunk. "An elephant is like a giant snake," he announced. The third blind man felt the elephant's pointed tusk. "I was right," he decided. "This creature is as sharp and deadly as a spear." The fourth blind man touched one of the elephant's four legs. "What we have here," he said, "is an extremely large cow." The fifth blind man felt the elephant's giant ear. "I believe an elephant is like a huge fan or maybe a magic carpet that can fly over mountains and treetops," he said. The sixth blind man gave a tug on the elephant's coarse tail. "Why, this is nothing more than a piece of old rope. Dangerous, indeed," he scoffed.
There are quite a few lessons learned from the story of the blind men and the elephant. The elephant is a very large animal and each man touched only one part, it’s only when you put the parts together that you will see the truth. The “elephant” represents many different things in life that we can’t see, so if we don’t remember these limitations, we can get into trouble with ourselves and others. The parable is about a range of truths and mistakes. It’s also about the need for communication and the need for respect for different perspectives and shows the effects of observation and bias. I think we should embrace the diversity of the individual as part of the unity of the collective.
Are you afraid?
Diversity is about differences, inclusion is about embracing those differences. The hard truth is that to find new solutions to old problems we must often work with people we don’t really understand. What makes matters worse is that we often do not appreciate the value of diversity when we see it. I won’t pretend this is easy, as I think that people are not afraid of failure, they are afraid of blame.
“Having an outsider around helped us solve problems, but don’t expect us to be grateful, or even to notice anything other than social discomfort.”
I am at your service
What do I do?
I have built up a rather unique combination of skills, knowledge and experience. I have been an owner, director, senior leader and commercial executive, with experience of running teams and have a proven track record of exceeding results in highly demanding environments from start-ups to corporates.
Why do I do it?
I have been fortunate to have worked with some outstanding professionals which has enabled me to understand organisational dynamics through people, process and technology. These skills have been proven to be invaluable as I engage stakeholders, explore ideas and opportunities in line with your business priorities. If you want to experience significance and success, I am now in the position to share this valuable knowledge of how to become extraordinary in what you do.
How do I do it?
I currently help organisations, teams, leaders, and front-line employees identify and remove barriers to success. I specialise in addressing issues involving people, processes, and technology - especially where consumers are affected. As part of this focus I examine strategy, culture, interaction design, customer service, branding and leadership practices. I am passionate about spotting emerging best practices and guiding companies to master them. I also speak about these topics in keynotes and lecturing engagements.
Learn how to sell
You cannot change the system all at once, but what you can change is the voice in your head. And if the voice in your head is holding you back then that's not helping, in reality, what this means is the power structure has corrupted the voice in your head and put it to work for themselves. What is essential, whatever we are trying to get people in power to listen to, is to first change the voice in our own head. Find out how to befriend the “lizard brain” and the resistance, and not let it sabotage what we are doing. I think that what people like in us, is our confidence, our authority, our belief in what we are actually doing and working that out helps us get 80% of the way there.
Learning how to sell, learning how to talk to somebody about something you care about and getting them to believe you and pay you money for it. Nowadays, we are in the ideas business, I mean we have the opportunity to show up with an idea that’s worth more than it costs. And some people are going to be stuck in their “old ways”, so afraid of a person like you that they are not going to buy from you, but their competition will and that’s how we change culture. We change the culture because the losers learn a lesson, and the lesson they learn is that diversity pays off.
It doesn’t matter what the messenger looks like or the clothes the messenger is wearing, what matters is what will get you to move forward. I am optimistic that we are at the cusp of this cultural change happening even more. Hopefully people will look beyond DNA, gender or sexuality and start to understand that seeing people for who they are and understanding ideas for what they offer is where we need to go. Along the way a lot of people like me are paying the price. It’s bad enough that you have to deal with the voices outside of your head but you can begin by straightening out the voices in your head, because this is something that everyone has wrestled with. It’s always that same voice, learn how to dance with it, learn how to befriend it to understand that we have got a chance.