Breaking Into the Boys’ Club
What tactics can you use to get ahead?
Posts Tagged: diversity
Women in Politics
I’m attempting to refrain from talking politics, even though it was election week. But I must ask: Why all the name calling? In Texas, the big race was between Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis. I repeatedly read comments from people, men and women alike, calling Wendy Davis names. Whether or not you agree with someone’sRead… Read more »
9 Things Not to Say to an American Indian/Alaska Native and Why
In Celebration of American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month. Indian Giver Definition- A person who takes a gift back after giving it to someone. Historical Context- To Native people, the giving of gifts should be reciprocated with a gift of something of greater value. Europeans interpreted these “gifts” as things that required no commensurate or biggerRead… Read more »
What is In a Name?
American Indian and Alaska Native peoples and governments have been an integral part of the North American landscape. Against tremendous odds, they have endured great hardship and tragedy and yet remain a viable cultural, political, social and moral presence. They have taught the world diversity and inclusion values that are now ingrained in the humanRead… Read more »
Cultural Diversity and What It Means to IT Managers
Recently I sat in on a meeting between a group of IT developers (contractors) and Federal program managers. Just a routine project review. As I looked around, it struck me that we were really quite a diverse crowd. In the room were people from China, Viet Nam, India, Russia, Somalia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Iran,Read… Read more »
The Biggest Obstacle to Diversity: The Knowing and Doing Gap
I have hundreds of conversations with managers and employees around diversity and inclusion issues every year. One of their most frequent questions is “What is the biggest barrier to diversity and inclusion?” The answer is “the knowing and doing gap.” We know a lot about diversity and inclusion. Unfortunately, like most of the world, weRead… Read more »
Reconsidering Columbus Day
Why does the federal government, a supposedly national symbol for diversity, continue to celebrate Columbus Day? This holiday does little to promote diversity and inclusion for American Indians/Alaska Natives. It celebrates the legacy of a man, Christopher Columbus, who committed egregious atrocities against Indigenous people. Could this be a contributing factor to American Indian/Alaska NativeRead… Read more »
3 Musts for Inclusion
As I negotiate inclusion trainings with busy supervisors and managers in the federal government, I am often asked, “Boil inclusion down to a couple of talking points for me.” Know Yourself This is often the most difficult first step. Most of us go through life without fully know ourselves by identifying our personal beliefs, biasesRead… Read more »
6 Ways to Engage Your Workforce
Adding on to my last post on the Women’s Empowerment (WE) initiative in Kansas City, Missouri, we are looking closely at our internal practices to build a more inclusive, diverse city government. As a woman, a new mom, and coming from the male-dominated profession of architecture, I am acutely aware of some of the barriersRead… Read more »
Getting More Women in City Hall: Leveraging Private-Public Partnerships for Equity
I was hired as the first female Chief Innovation Officer in the country in early 2013 and I have to admit I think that is pretty cool. However, I am also very much aware of the gender gap that I see around me in meetings at City Hall and with community stakeholders. Often it isRead… Read more »