How to Be an Inclusive Leader With Jennifer Brown

With special guest Jennifer Brown

This episode of the Allyship in Action Podcast with Julie Kratz features Keivan Stassun, an astrophysicist and the founding director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt School of Engineering. Stassun shares his personal story as the father of an autistic son, which inspired him to create a Center focused on leveraging the strengths of neurodiverse individuals in science and engineering. This discussion covers the benefits of neurodiverse teams, the importance of workplace accommodations, and innovative models for employing autistic adults.

Inclusive leadership with Jennifer Brown

This episode features Jennifer Brown, an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and diversity and inclusion expert, and the founder/CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting. She discusses her book, “How to Be an Inclusive Leader,” and her framework for understanding the journey of inclusive leadership through four stages: unaware, aware, active, and advocate. Brown emphasizes that individuals can be at different stages for different identity dimensions, for example, an advocate for LGBTQ+ issues while being in an earlier stage for race and ethnicity. She highlights the importance of meeting people where they are in their journey to provide effective guidance and prevent them from disengaging when facing discomfort or making mistakes.

Brown also discusses the challenges of DEI work, particularly the risk of people “jumping off the journey” when confronted with uncomfortable truths or making errors in their active allyship. She advocates for patience, grace, and empathy, reminding listeners that everyone has a diversity story and that judgment can be counterproductive. The conversation touches on the ingrained nature of white supremacy culture in business practices, leading to a constant demand for “business cases” for diversity, which Brown views as a delay tactic. Despite these challenges, she expresses optimism about the private sector’s increasing commitment to inclusion and its potential to drive positive change through values-driven leadership and influence.

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusive Leadership Continuum: Jennifer Brown’s framework outlines four stages of an inclusive leader’s journey: unaware, aware, active, and advocate, recognizing that individuals can be at different stages across various identity dimensions.
• Embrace Discomfort and Mistakes: Engaging in DEI work will involve discomfort and missteps. It’s crucial to cultivate resilience, learn from errors, and avoid taking “marbles and go home,” instead focusing on continuous growth.
• Everyone Has a Diversity Story: Approach conversations with the understanding that everyone has their own unique diversity story, even if it’s not immediately visible. This helps to break down stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment.
• Challenge Systemic Norms: Be aware of how ingrained cultural norms, particularly those linked to white supremacy culture, can impede progress in DEI by demanding excessive proof points or perpetuating unhelpful expectations.
• The Power of the Private Sector: Businesses and leaders in the private sector are increasingly demonstrating values-driven commitment to inclusion, leveraging their influence and resources to create significant societal impact and drive change.

Actionable Allyship Takeaway:

Recognize that allyship is an ongoing journey, not a destination or a badge, and requires continuous learning and action. Be prepared for discomfort and potential mistakes, and commit to staying on the journey by learning from feedback and re-engaging with authenticity, rather than disengaging due to fragility or fear.

Follow Jennifer’s work at https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/ and find Julie at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/