A Leader Like Me: Building a Culture of Inclusivity

The procrastination club: all about being Deadline Driven 
After finishing the first two chapters of their book, Priya Bates (she/her) and Advita Patel (she/her) founders of A Leader Like Me talk about being deadline driven. Although they only met 50% of the deadline for submitting the chapters, both talked about their experience meeting their deadline. 
 
They also talk about the doubts that we have and the nervousness about people's reactions when presenting them with your ideas.
 
Priya and Advita discuss their experience in being faced with doubts during the research phase with the overwhelming amount of information and opinions out there. 
 
The episode also highlights the difficulty Priya and Advita face when co-writing a book in two different continents. 
 
Priya and Advita's book will be released this time next year, so make sure to follow the journey by bookmarking our #ALLME podcast page as we continue to explore more chapters in the next few weeks: https://aleaderlikeme.podbean.com/
 
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Ideas? Questions? Thoughts? Needs? Case Studies? We'd love to hear from you and incorporate your feedback, do drop Priya and Advita a note here: info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
Stay tuned: Season two episodes will continue to be ~10 to 15 minutes in length and released every Wednesday, midday U.K. time.
 
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
 
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
 
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Note: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter RISE for the latest in DEI/EDI around the world. New subscribers will also receive free access to our 4 A's of Diversity webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch 
 

“Comfort is the enemy of progress”
-PT Barnum, referenced by Advita Patel
As we strive towards making a meaningful difference in the world of work, listen to S2:E4 for a deeper look into free vs. linear thinking, the ‘big why’, written prioritization, sectioning, research and reports, accurately referencing sources, the utility of index cards, leveraging your positive voice and having an accountability partner to help keep you on the right track.
Priya and Advita also mention and discuss overcoming your imposter syndrome as you go through the journey.
Remember: Have a look at what gives you strength and motivation. A mixture of different tools and techniques always help, especially when your decisions are guided by purpose (the big why!).
Use the tools that work for you; everyone is unique!
We would like to acknowledgment Eleanor Tidwell for her fab recommendation of Scribner, a relevant, cost-effective licensing tool dedicated to publishing the best literary fiction and nonfiction from around the world.
Priya and Advita's book will be released this time next year, so make sure to follow the journey by bookmarking our #ALLME podcast page as we continue to explore more chapters in the next few weeks: https://aleaderlikeme.podbean.com/
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Ideas? Questions? Thoughts? Needs? Case Studies? We'd love to hear from you and incorporate your feedback, do drop Priya and Advita a note here: info@aleaderlikeme.com--
Stay tuned: Season two episodes will continue to be ~10 to 15 minutes in length and released every Wednesday, midday U.K. time.
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
--
Note: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter RISE for the latest in DEI/EDI around the world. New subscribers will also receive free access to our 4 A's of Diversity webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch

“Here’s the proof, here’s the support, here’s the information that is credible.” –Priya Bates
Priya and Advita are back with a quick segment on how they’ve been leveraging research and data to support their book content plans!
When researching, it is essential to really think about what we’re reading, evaluate the pros and cons of what we’re trying to say, and consider how we can effectively communicate initiatives around leadership and trust.
Advita reminds us to avoid falling into the trap of disinformation, and to be mindful of how social algorithms often present content according to our bias.
Also, as strategic communication professionals, we encourage people to start with research, and pay attention to what’s going on and the conversations that are going on formally and informally.
Listen to the end for library perks and Priya and Advita’s recommendations, including Simon Sinek’s Start With Why, inspiring versus manipulating.
Priya and Advita's book will be released this time next year, so make sure to follow the journey by bookmarking our #ALLME podcast page as we continue to explore more chapters in the next few weeks: https://aleaderlikeme.podbean.com/
--
Ideas? Questions? Thoughts? Needs? Case Studies? We'd love to hear from you and incorporate your feedback, do drop Priya and Advita a note here: info@aleaderlikeme.com--
Stay tuned: Season two episodes will continue to be ~10 to 15 minutes in length and released every Wednesday, midday U.K. time.
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
--
Note: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter RISE for the latest in DEI/EDI around the world. New subscribers will also receive free access to our 4 A's of Diversity webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch

“Do a brain dump, get your thoughts on paper, then get started with the editing.” –Chaya Mistry
In light of being honest with our vulnerabilities, Priya and Advita are back with a quick segment on how we can face our fears head on! This episode also explores themes of purpose, accountability and a look at Kogan Page’s book process so far.
As Priya kindly reminds us, the discomfort zone is where our growth happens. Viewing ourselves with curiosity, not judgement, allows us to take flight and spread our wings.
And as Advita points out, having reminders of our achievements along the way can really motivate us – really take in those moments of joy to face fear and keep on going. Keeping a folder of positivity helps too!
Priya and Advita's book will be released this time next year, so make sure to follow the journey by bookmarking our #ALLME podcast page as we continue to explore more chapters in the next few weeks: https://aleaderlikeme.podbean.com/
 
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Ideas? Questions? Thoughts? Needs? Case Studies? We'd love to hear from you and incorporate your feedback, do drop Priya and Advita a note here: info@aleaderlikeme.com
Additional mentions and acknowledgements: IABC’s Practical Guide to Communication, #ALLME Chaya Mistry’s process.
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Stay tuned: Season two episodes will continue to be ~10 to 15 minutes in length and released every Wednesday, midday U.K. time.
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
--
Note: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter RISE for the latest in DEI/EDI around the world. New subscribers will also receive free access to our 4 A's of Diversity webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch

Hello everyone - we hope you've been having a great summer so far!
Advita Patel (she/her) and Priya Bates (she/her), co-hosts of the A Leader Like Me Podcast, very recently announced their contract signing with Kogan Page to write a book on communicating #diversityequityinclusion inside organisations. This new book will explore the important role of internal communication in supporting DEI/EDI efforts. Exciting times are ahead!
Tune in now to learn about the inspiration behind this exciting new book project, the steps we're taking to close the gaps and our focus on diversity in authorship. Priya and Advita's book will be released this time next year, so make sure to follow the journey by bookmarking our #ALLME podcast page as we explore various chapters in the near future: https://aleaderlikeme.podbean.com/ 
Ideas? Questions? Thoughts? Needs? Case Studies? We'd love to hear from you and incorporate your feedback, do drop Priya and Advita a note here: info@aleaderlikeme.com
Season two episodes will be ~10 to 15 minutes in length and released on a weekly basis.
For our latest updates, continue to follow our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for your continued support as we drive global DEI/EDI conversations forward.
--
Note: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter RISE for the latest in DEI/EDI around the world. New subscribers will also receive free access to our 4 A's of Diversity webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch 

To our ALLME community: We appreciate your continued support of our weekly newsletter, RISE. The feedback and suggestions we receive are fantastic. Please continue to share this link with people you know and remind them to look out for us every Monday. We will continue to deliver the latest DEI/EDI developments and updates from around the world: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch
 
We appreciate you!
 
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“Don’t let being a minority hold you back from anything. Underline your power, don’t undermine it. Celebrate yourself.”
In our twelfth and last episode of season one, we welcomed Shalini Gupta. Shalini Gupta. Shalini is a founding #ALLME member and #CIPRInside committee member with 15+ years in various communications roles at top FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies across a wide spectrum of internal communications.
Listen now to learn about Shalini's journey, seismic cultural shifts from India to Dubai to the U.K. and her leadership and success tips throughout.
Empathizing with audiences and sharing her lived experiences has helped Shalini lead successful notable inclusion and well-being campaigns.
In addition, the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you pull down your detractors. Articulate your achievements and exercise your power. Chairing panels, mentoring others, writing industry blogs and networking are great for growth. 
Having a 'dual identity' can bring richness to conservations and is an important part of the belonging piece in DEI/EDI.
Diversity helps organizations receive the right advice and the right council while improving talent retention. One strategy that can help immensely is to “walk the talk”. Seeing someone underrepresented flourish in the industry can encourage more underrepresented people of colour also flourish in the same industry.
Did you know? Dubai is a vibrant cultural melting pot with ‘no one culture’ and welcomes everyone from around the globe from all walks of life.
Shalini describes #ALLME as a “confidential, trusting space and community of exploring challenges, overcoming them and coming out of it all bolder and stronger with great impact and humbling results.”
 
Missed episode 11 with Jefferson Darrell? We've got you: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-c2iwx-11fadb6 
 
RISE with us: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest DEI/EDI developments and updates from around the world, and engaging articles and #ALLMe programmes, including WINGS: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch
 
Follow Shalini:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalini-gupta-6291051/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaliniGuptaJ/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaliniguptajoy 
 
Continue to connect with A Leader Like Me to stay in the loop:
Help us get to 400+ followers on Instagram!: https://instagram.com/aleaderlikeme
We recently surpassed 1100 Twitter followers: https://twitter.com/aleaderlikeme
Let's get to 300+ followers on LinkedIn! Follow us today: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-leader-like-me/
 
Email us your DEI/EDI conversation and content ideas: info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
For more about this topic, or about us, visit https://aleaderlikeme.com/ for all the info. 

 
To our ALLME community: We appreciate your continued support of our weekly newsletter, RISE. The feedback and suggestions we receive are fantastic. Please continue to share this link with people you know and remind them to look out for us every Monday. We will continue to deliver the latest DEI/EDI developments and updates from around the world: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch
 
We appreciate you!
 
--
"As people of colour, we often don't ask for what we deserve."
On S1:E11, we welcomed Jefferson Darrell, Founder and CEO of Breakfast Culture and thought leader for Culture, Inclusion, Equity & Diversity.
Tune in now to learn about Jefferson Darrell’s change management, intersectionality, marketing communications and EDI/DEI journey, especially in the last decade as DEI/EDI has grown. Although there is a ‘cultural awakening’, especially after the murder of George Floyd, systemic racism continues to be problematic. Jefferson’s personal experiences with systemic racism inspired him to start Breakfast Culture™ to address these issues and support racialized communities.
Moreover, Jefferson shares his tips and insights on what organizations should be looking for when hiring experts as well as appreciation of different DEI/EDI approaches.
Important terminology: Racial battle fatigue (RBF), originally coined by Dr. William Smith: Psychosocial stress responses from being a Racially oppressed group member in society. This also includes mental, physical and emotional challenges that racialized communities face.
Jefferson is the 2021 LGBT+ Business Advocate of the Year award recipient.
Breakfast Culture helps organizations cultivate diverse and inclusive workplace cultures where everyone feels that they can perform to the best of their abilities, resulting in peak performance and improved business results.
Breakfast Culture’s three verticals: marketing communications companies, volunteerism in the HIV/AIDS space, and the arts and cultural space. To improve and foster belonging, Breakfast Culture strategically uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven insights and decision-making to create real change in organizations.
Breakfast Culture is a member of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) and a certified diverse supplier with the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC).
 
Missed episode 10 with Adena White? We've got you: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jibtj-11f0259 
 
RISE with us: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest DEI/EDI developments and updates from around the world, and engaging articles and #ALLMe programmes, including WINGS: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch
 
Follow Jefferson and visit Breakfast Culture:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersondarrell/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffersondarrell7/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffersndarrell
Breakfast Culture: https://www.breakfastculture.org/
 
Continue to connect with A Leader Like Me to stay in the loop:
Help us get to 400+ followers on Instagram!: https://instagram.com/aleaderlikeme
We recently surpassed 1100 Twitter followers: https://twitter.com/aleaderlikeme
Let's get to 300+ followers on LinkedIn! Follow us today: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-leader-like-me/
 
Email us your DEI/EDI conversation and content ideas: info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
For more about this topic, or about us, visit https://aleaderlikeme.com/ for all the info. 

To our ALLME community: We appreciate your continued support of our weekly newsletter, RISE. The feedback and suggestions we receive are fantastic. Please continue to share this link with people you know and remind them to look out for us every Monday. We will continue to deliver the latest DEI/EDI developments and updates from around the world: https://mailchi.mp/9bcab56b961e/keep-in-touch
 
We appreciate you!
 
--
"Some people think that if it is not about me, it is not for me."
To move forward and make progress, we must do it together. When you are used to being centred most of the time, seeing and hearing others -not like you - be centred and focused on, is uncomfortable. We must lean into this discomfort in order to learn and accept.
Tune into S1:E10 to learn about Adena White’s journey of becoming an entrepreneur, founding Blackbelt Media and podcasting. Blackbelt Media is telling the stories of changemakers working to make the South (United States) a better place for all.
Adena is an accredited public relations professional and is also one of the founding members of A Leader Like Me.
Adena also shares thoughts on the current political landscape, Black History Month and how we can take genuine action to foster greater introspection and visibility. To avoid the performative trap, we should aim to exercise diversity and meaningful change all year round.
More ripples create big waves. Allies and advocates can contribute to conversations and appreciate the significance of listening to other people’s points of view.
 
Blackbelt Media: https://blackbeltvoices.com/
Blackbelt Voices podcast: https://podcast.blackbeltvoices.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xft6tert0BIx16cndScTn
 
The Blackbelt voices podcast was named in Oprah’s Vanity Fair as one of the top 15 education podcasts to listen to. It propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home.
 
Missed episode 9 with Jade Pichette (they/them)? We've got you: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7sk6h-11e63b0 
 
Keep up to date with Adena:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adenawhite/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AdenaJ
 
Continue to connect with A Leader Like Me to stay in the loop:
Help us get to 400+ followers on Instagram!: https://instagram.com/aleaderlikeme
We recently surpassed 1100 Twitter followers: https://twitter.com/aleaderlikeme
Let's get to 300+ followers on LinkedIn! Follow us today: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-leader-like-me/
 
Email us your DEI/EDI conversation and content ideas: info@aleaderlikeme.com
 
For more about this topic, or about us, visit https://aleaderlikeme.com/ for all the info.