Porter Braswell’s Post

🦃 This Thanksgiving, Let’s Talk About Belonging 🍂 Thanksgiving is a time to come together, but for many families, it can feel like a battleground of differing perspectives, identities, and values. The world we live in feels more divided than ever, and the same polarization we see in our communities often shows up around the dinner table—and in our workplaces. 🫶  Cue video on belonging: https://bit.ly/3CIbK6l Ze Min Xiao and Bailey Rivera-Wymes from BelongInUtah give us a primer on belonging. 🔗 Unique from Inclusion: Unlike inclusion, which invites people into existing spaces, belonging is about creating a bigger table—by recognizing shared values while honoring diverse perspectives. 🔗 Belonging is a Framework: It’s more than a feeling; it’s a system that prioritizes co-creation, connection, recognition, and bridging. 🔗 The Power of Bridging: Creating spaces for dialogue across divides doesn’t mean staying neutral—it’s about fostering trust and respect to build relationships that can weather differences. As we head into a season that can feel challenging, these skills are invaluable—not just for leaders but for anyone looking to build better bridges and connections. #Belonging #Leadership #InclusiveWorkplace #BridgeTheDivide #OrganizationalCulture #Innovation

Diversity is not a nice to have or just the right moral thing to do. It’s absolutely needed if organisations want to thrive in a world that is increasingly interconnected. This month, we celebrate Global Diversity Awareness. We can explore how embracing global diversity can drive innovation, enhance performance, and foster a more inclusive workplace. From diverse teams and leadership resulting in better decision-making to tapping into new markets and customer segments, the benefits of diversity are undeniable. By creating a culture that values different perspectives and experiences, organisations can unlock their full potential and stay ahead of the curve. So what can you do this month? Well It’s quite easy… 1️⃣ Educate yourself: Learn about different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. 2️⃣ Challenge biases: Be mindful of your own biases and actively work to overcome them. 3️⃣ Foster inclusion: Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all colleagues. 4️⃣ Champion diversity: Speak up for diversity and inclusion initiatives within your organisation. Let's use this month to reflect on our own practices and take concrete steps towards building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. And remember, this month should only be the beginning, we should take steps toward genuine inclusion all year round. Share your thoughts in the comments below!! #GlobalDiversity #diversityandinclusion #workplaceculture #innovation #leadership #advocacy #futureofwork #neurodiversity

The fuel and energy industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by implementing various initiatives to support these values: 1. Workforce Diversity: Companies are actively recruiting a diverse workforce, ensuring representation across different genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. 2. Equity Initiatives: The industry is working to ensure fair pay and career advancement opportunities for all employees, addressing historical disparities in the workforce. 3. Inclusive Culture: Many companies are fostering inclusive workplaces by providing DEI training, creating employee resource groups, and encouraging open dialogue about inclusion. 4. Leadership Commitment: Leadership teams are making DEI a priority by setting clear goals, tracking progress, and holding themselves accountable for creating an inclusive environment. 5. Community Engagement: The industry also supports diversity through community outreach and partnerships with organizations that advocate for underrepresented groups. By prioritizing these areas, the fuel and energy industry is building a more inclusive and equitable future.

Diversity is more than just a buzzword—it's a vital aspect of our modern society. It is about acknowledging and valuing the differences that make each of us unique. It's about creating a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected. Embracing diversity is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic advantage that enriches our communities and organizations. By fostering inclusive environments, we can harness the full potential of our diverse world, creating spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. Let’s commit to celebrating our differences and building a more inclusive future together.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of facilitating a conversation for our colleagues and alliance partners about psychological safety and inclusion with the ever brilliant Dave Ward, Lindsay Congreve and Kieran Lutton - three operational leaders who are walking the walk when it comes to creating a safe environment for their people. It’s a topic close to my heart, knowing personally from the perspective of disability how inclusion can make or break a person’s experience of work. Our conversation was deliberately practical, focused on equipping colleagues across the business with the tools and confidence they need to navigate complex situations with their people. It’s impossible to summarise the conversation in only a few words, but here are three key things I took from our conversation: - physical safety is intrinsically linked with psychological safety - one cannot exist without the other - psychological safety is an integral part of creating high performing teams. This means being open to challenge, recognising the need to adapt and do things differently, and shifting our preconceptions - genuine curiosity is vital for inclusion. Our assumptions will always be challenged, so we need a willingness to learn and change. Massive kudos to Sarah Balment MCIPD - the brains, energy, vision and drive behind this year’s inclusion week. It wouldn’t have happened without her 🙌🏼 Image description: a screenshot of Lindsay, Kieran, Dave and myself on the teams call - mid conversation - and we’re all laughing

🌍 Building an Inclusive Culture at Scale in Local Government 🌍 Local government is all about diversity - diverse political views, teams, stakeholders, and communities. But how can you build an inclusive culture that unites all these differences and strengthens your Council's ability to serve? Creating an inclusive culture means empowering every people leader to have meaningful conversations with their teams about: 🔸 Unconscious Bias 🔸 Cultural Intelligence 🔸 Inclusivity 🔸 Difficult Conversations #localgovernment #culturalintelligence #inclusivity

"Diversity is a journey we all share, requiring us to navigate this world collectively." — Jacqueline Woodson In today's interconnected world, diversity is not just a concept, it is our reality. Woodson's inspiring words emphasise that diversity is a joint venture, an expedition we undertake together. Envision a world where every culture, background, and viewpoint is revered. A world where our distinctions transform into our greatest assets. This is the world we can shape by fully embracing diversity. Here are ways to make this journey engaging and impactful: ✨ Celebrate Differences: Organise cultural exchange events, commemorate international holidays, and exchange stories from diverse backgrounds. ✨ Foster Inclusion: Establish safe spaces for open discussions, where everyone feels at ease sharing their unique viewpoints. ✨ Empower Each Other: Advocate for initiatives promoting equality and combating discrimination in all forms. ✨ Learn and Grow Together: Participate in training and workshops that enrich our appreciation of various cultures and experiences. By embracing diversity, we unlock a realm of opportunities. We become more inventive, more imaginative, and more compassionate. Make a positive impact today. 🌟 #Diversity #Inclusion #TogetherWeRise #UnityInDiversity #Empathy #CelebrateDifferences #Empowerment

Just finished the course “Diversity and Inclusion in a Global Enterprise (2021)” by Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dcMvmNiJ #diversityinclusion #strategichumanresourceplanning.

This quote highlights the value of diversity and inclusion in fostering wisdom and improvement within an organization. By appreciating and celebrating both commonalities and differences among individuals, an organization can: Gain diverse perspectives- Different backgrounds and experiences bring a variety of viewpoints, leading to better decision-making and creativity. Foster inclusivity- An inclusive environment ensures everyone feels valued and respected, enhancing team cohesion and morale. Enhance wisdom- Exposure to different ideas and cultures broadens understanding and empathy, contributing to personal and collective growth. Embracing these principles makes an organization more adaptive, innovative, and capable of addressing a wider range of challenges and opportunities.

🌟 Let's Rekindle the Conversation on Diversity 🌟 How can we reignite the conversation on diversity in our own organisations🌟 It's disheartening to observe the silence that has fallen upon many businesses regarding the crucial topic of Diversity (i see you 👀). As we navigate through these transformative times, we must keep the dialogue alive and take action to foster diversity within all organisations. Diversity isn't merely a buzzword; it's the essence of progress, innovation, and societal evolution. It's about embracing the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that each individual brings to the table. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily operations, it seems that the momentum behind diversity initiatives has dropped off the map. So, let's reignite the conversation on diversity. Let's pledge to actively promote inclusivity in our workplaces, from recruitment and retention practices to leadership development and beyond. Now is not the time for complacency - it's the time for action! 🌟 How can we reignite the conversation on diversity in our own organisations🌟 Let's come together, amplify diverse voices, and build a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. #DiversityandInclusion #InclusiveCulture