Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, Appears on Plant Yourself Podcast | From Diversity to Belonging: How to Create Workplaces that Work for Everyone

Women and people of color are systematically underrepresented in business. 

That’s a problem for women and people of color. But, it turns out, it’s a problem for business as well. According Linkage’s research on inclusion, organizations with leaders who practice inclusion skillfully are far more successful and profitable than their less enlightened counterparts. 

Yet, of the over $8 billion spent annually by US companies on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity initiatives, almost none of it has moved the needle.

Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, recently sat down for an interview on this topic on the Plant Yourself Podcast.

Some important takeaways from the conversation:  

• Diversity is about numbers—are different groups represented adequately at all levels of the organization.
• Inclusion is about whether those people are treated as integral members of that organization. In the words of inclusion and diversity trainer Verna Myers: “Diversity is being invited to the party, and inclusion is being asked to dance.”
• Equity is about whether everyone is treated fairly in terms of compensation, responsibilities, mentoring and opportunities for advancement.
• And “belonging” refers to whether all people feel like they can bring their full selves into the workplace, and that their “superpowers” are acknowledged, valued, utilized and celebrated. 

Now is the time for a new vision for inclusion in the workplace. Learn more about Linkage’s “Redesigning Inclusion: Superpowers and Symphony,” and learn how you can bring this transformative solution to your organization.