The DEI burden problem – and how to fix it
There’s an ongoing and overwhelming burden on black people to drive DEI efforts in organizations. This is part of the problem – not the solution. […]
Can there be equity without empathy?
As Black History Month comes to an end, I wanted to share an important resource for advancing equity and anti-racism in organizations. The Conversation, by social psychologist Dr Robert Livingston, is a guide to jump-starting dialogue on racism and bias, and to ultimately transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions. In his book, which is based on decades of research and lived experiences, Dr Livingston advocates for a powerful combination of facts and feelings (empathy) based on the three [...]
How To Be a Good Leader During Bad Times – 3 Things To Focus On
Tech is in turmoil but you don’t have to be… It’s been described as a mid-life crisis and a copycat cull, but however you want to understand it, the recent mass layoffs in the tech industry have been alarming to read about and devastating for those experiencing them. Less talked about is the additional pressure now facing those who remain – and in particular the leaders and managers who are charged with delivering ‘business as usual’. […]
How Delegation Helps Your Team… and You
The shift from doing to leading is notoriously hard for all executives. Distributing tasks, relinquishing control and putting your trust in your team are all skills you can learn and practice. When I was a project and program manager, I found delegation to be one of the most valuable tools in my toolbox, but it is one that I often see being misused and usually for the same reason. […]
Tech and the talent gap: no time to waste
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder big tech made many promises and pledges around diversity, equity and inclusion. Two years later, there’s little evidence of action or the level of sustainable change that we need to see. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 83% of tech executives are white. Business Insider’s research tracking progress in representation in the tech industry post George Floyd found that only 5% of the tech workforce, 3% of executives, and 1% of [...]
Have you got a culture people want to be part of?
Life is a contradiction. We are awash with good intentions, performative actions, anger, and apathy. We’ve never had it so good; or so bad. Everything is changing faster than ever yet progress is also extremely slow. Technology is going to make us work smarter not harder; things have never been so complicated. Which is true? All of it and also none of it! For this week’s blog I’m taking a look at some of the recent research that points to [...]
There Is No Playbook For Grief
Grief is both a universal and deeply personal experience. We will all experience grief in our lifetimes — that is guaranteed. The impact it has, how we process it, what happens beyond the grief — that is different for everyone. […]
3 Coaching Questions — and How I Answer Them
When I’m coaching and mentoring my clients — whether as part of a larger corporate effort or individual engagements, there are a few questions that come up time and again. I thought it would be useful to go over the three most common scenarios and share my tried and trusted strategies. #1 I really want to make a big change, how do I know if it’s the right move? When I hear that someone is looking to make big changes, [...]
How (And Why) To Make Measured Moves
By now we are familiar with the ‘Great Resignation’ as thousands of people embark on a COVID-induced career rethink. Gallup reported late last year that nearly half of U.S. workers are watching or hunting for job opportunities, while 35% of all U.S. workers have changed careers in the past three years. […]
The biggest change I’ve seen in 16 years – and what still needs need to change
When I started out in my career in oil and gas I was the only female on my team. There were NO female leaders or managers and barely any female colleagues across the whole organization and very few in the industry itself. In the 11 years I was with my first employer, I never reported to a woman. As I look back on my 16 years since setting up 2Hill Consulting, I can see there has been some… slow… progress. [...]