56. How Being Vulnerable + Inclusive in Business is Necessary with Alissa Carpenter
How can we help one another feel seen and heard when we literally can’t have a face-to-face conversation? It’s going to take some effort. According to a Gallup poll, only 30% of employees feel like their opinion matters under normal circumstances. What is it like now that many are working remotely?
Erica’s guest is Alissa Carpenter of Everything’s Not OK and That’s OK Coaching. Alissa helps leaders and businesses build inclusive cultures. She’s also the author of How to Listen and How to Be Heard. And the title intentionally begins with listen. She believes that feeling seen and heard is what enables us to see and hear others. When we can’t do that for one another, we have a breeding ground for miscommunications and lack of connection.
In today’s episode, Erica and Alissa discuss how businesses and brands can foster productive conversations that will help create buy-in from both their employees and their audience.
Are you ready to listen in? What’s Happening In This Episode
[0:03:31] Alissa’s self-introduction
[0:07:17] One in three people feel their opinion matters in the workplace. What got us here?
[0:10:23] Why it’s hard to translate information into action
[0:12:29] How companies and organizations can make sure their employees feel included and valued, especially during this time of quarantine
[0:15:53] How leaders can foster visibility during the current state
[0:18:48] Vote with your dollars
[0:21:00] Giving back in a cost-effective way
[0:22:10] Dialoging so you can know what your people want and need
[0:26:06] Impact versus intent
[0:29:25] Why you shouldn’t assume during this time
[0:31:13] The parts of Alissa’s book that are particularly pertinent right now
[0:36:24] Why we need to keep our egos in check
WHAT’S ONE ACTION YOU CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THE DISCUSSION?
Everyone can create more inclusive spaces and bring more diversity to the mix. — Alissa
QUOTES
“Now is a very good time to be cognizant of the money that you do have and the clients that you have, making sure that there is transparency around what matters to you. Are you supporting small businesses? Are you supporting local businesses? Are they businesses owned by people of color? Do they have give-back components that matter?” – Erica
“If you’re hurting for business, think creatively how you can give back in a cost-effective way.” – Alissa
“There is no connection that can happen if there is no talking and listening going on... This is a pivotal time for honing in on things that were important before but are so important right now to actually listen to the people that work for you, the people that work with you, the people that you’re serving.” – Erica
“If we’re not asking questions and we’re making assumptions, we’re spending a lot of money, time, and resources in changing things that people don’t want. And it just adds to the problem. It doesn’t take away from it.” – Alissa
“Ego has no choice but to take a backseat because what we’re doing is for the collective whole. It’s not so much around the individual. Businesses have changed. It’s likely that the face of how business is done, in a lot of ways, is going to change going forward.” – Erica
Resources
How to Listen and How to be Heard by Alissa Carpenter