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The Will to Change Podcast

Inclusive Leadership Starts With You

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Jennifer Brown is the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Speaks, where she focuses on keynote speaking and coaching organizations on creating inclusive workplaces. As a globally recognized DEI thought leader, speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and bestselling author, she has 20 years of experience consulting with leaders. Jennifer is the author of Inclusive and How to Be an Inclusive Leader. She has also spoken at institutions and organizations like Google, LinkedIn, and Toyota about building cultures of belonging and envisioning the future of work.

Jennifer Brown
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:57] Jennifer Brown’s journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship 
  • [6:38] How Jennifer built her consultancy
  • [9:10] Jennifer talks about her company’s merger
  • [12:19] The consequences of the Supreme Court banning affirmative action
  • [20:39] How to build a more inclusive world
  • [26:13] Jennifer opens up about facing stigma

In this episode...

The Supreme Court recently banned affirmative action in college admissions, indirectly impacting businesses’ efforts to foster equal representation and inclusion. With inclusivity and diversity becoming increasingly important, what does it take to lead with authenticity and impact?

As an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, Jennifer Brown faced stigma and discomfort in the corporate world after coming out, leading her to suppress her identity. Rather than minimizing your or another’s identity, she emphasizes aligning with your true self and fostering an inclusive environment for others. This involves embracing your diverse characteristics and sharing those experiences with others, which can alter established paradigms and empower others facing similar struggles.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston talks with Jennifer Brown, the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Speaks, about cultivating diversity and inclusion. Jennifer discusses her company’s merger, the current state of DEI programs, and how she built her consultancy from the ground up.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:
  • “I just wanted to shed all of that administrivia and just be directly working with people; it’s my happy place.”
  • “There is nothing wasted in your experience. At some point, that skill, that resilience, will make you a different leader.” 
  • “The arc of the moral universe is long. It bends toward justice.”
  •  “Each one of us knows something about diversity, and we need every story and identity.” 
  • “Am I using what I’ve been given? Am I giving voice to what needs to be voiced?”
Action Steps:
  1. Embrace authenticity in leadership: Jennifer Brown emphasizes the importance of showing your true self in leadership roles, which can create more inclusive and supportive work environments. By being open about your identity and experiences, you can foster a culture of trust and authenticity, encouraging others to do the same.
  2. Seek out diverse perspectives: Jennifer highlights the value of learning from those with different life experiences to enhance understanding and innovation. Actively seeking out and engaging with diverse voices can help you challenge your biases and make more informed decisions.
  3. Commit to continuous learning: Jennifer’s journey in diversity and inclusion underscores the importance of ongoing education. Regularly updating your knowledge on inclusion and equity issues can better equip you to lead in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous) world.
  4. Foster a culture of belonging: Jennifer discusses the need for workplaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. By creating initiatives that support marginalized communities, you can ensure all team members have equal opportunities to thrive.
  5. Challenge the status quo: Jennifer speaks about the importance of pushing back against systems that maintain inequality. Take proactive steps to identify and address institutional biases within your organization, leading to more equitable and just outcomes for all.

Sponsor for this episode…​

This episode is brought to you by Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer. 

Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer is an online speakers resource dedicated to empowering women in leadership. 

This subscription platform is designed to empower and equip women with the tools and resources they need to excel as speakers and influential leaders.

Its mission is to support women in harnessing their strengths, amplifying their voices, and making a lasting impact on their industries and communities. 

To enroll in Lead Like a Woman SpeakHer, mention this episode by name and sign up on leadlikeawoman.biz/speakher