Farah Hussain’s Post

I just read this fabulous article, "Navigating Nuance: How Engaging With DEI Can Prepare Us For The Future," featuring Farah Hussain. It touches upon topics personal to me and my LinkedIn network, such as the prediction that women of color will be the majority of women in the US by 2060 and that DEI is considered a soft skill, but data shows otherwise. There are also great tips for leaders and aspiring leaders on navigating the changing environment with "grace and patience." Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eiHkziBx

Check out this insightful article on how intentional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives can enhance leadership development by fostering essential interpersonal skills like active listening and emotional intelligence. The author delves into uncovering the hidden human experiences of women of color in leadership roles. #DEI #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusionForAll [Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/gUH47shf]

Still, the pervading theme regarding interpersonal skills and DEI themes tends to be referred to as soft skills or the ‘fluff’ side of business. Yet, the data tells us otherwise. #theexodusway #exodusconsultinggroup #leadership #leader #empowerment #management #diversity #equity #inclusion #dei #diversitytraining #teambuilding

The results are in! It’s exhausting! 😓 The 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 2024 report, marking its 10th anniversary, has just been released by McKinsey & Company in collaboration with LeanIn.Org. The findings echo what many women have been feeling in the workplace—especially over the past few years. Here’s a critical insight that stood out to me: “Over the past decade, women have made important gains at every level of the corporate pipeline (especially in senior leadership). Yet progress is surprisingly fragile, especially for women of color, who continue to be underrepresented at every level and who view gender and race as obstacles to their advancement. In many instances, women’s outlook and day-to-day experiences are not much different, or are even worse, than they were nearly a decade ago.” Whew! 😮💨 If you’re working in Corporate America, I highly encourage you to read this report. It’s a powerful reminder that you’re not imagining things—you’re not alone, and this is a real problem. Women, especially women of color, cannot rely solely on their managers for visibility, promotions, or career development. The report validates this. As a Leadership Coach, I help women leaders get visible—especially when they don’t have a supportive manager. Remember, you are not alone. #Exhausting #WomenofColor #WeAlreadyKnew

Research and data prove that diversity and inclusion initiatives are positive economic drivers. Studies have shown that organizations with higher levels of diversity outperform their less-diverse competitors by nearly 40% in revenue. If this doesn’t highlight the positive impact of diversity and inclusion, I don’t know what will! And despite over 80% of leaders recognizing the importance of DEI, less than 25% possess the knowledge or expertise to implement these initiatives beyond basic hiring practices. This gap presents a unique 3R (revenue, reputation and retention) opportunity for business leaders who are ready to do the work and make the investment to integrate DEI into their long-term strategic plans. Besides, “woke” positioning has proven it’s bad for business (ask Bud Light, Disney, or Target). Even if it means deviating from the "cool kids" or trending social narratives (which I recommend), companies that align their operations and messaging with core values become the rebels, making yours stand compared to others. That’s a good look. 😉 What’s your company’s position on DEI? #DEI #woke #thoughtleadership #strategicplanning #revenueoptimization #tlthoughts #figit #lion

No matter how fast-paced our workplaces become, we need to remember DEI can’t ever be on the backburner. And diversity and inclusion come from leaders — specifically the skills they develop. Agility, emotional intelligence, and empathy are all key markers for a more diverse, inclusive culture — so leaders, gear up those skills 💪 #diversity #inclusion #leadership

I haven't held an official leadership position yet, but as I plan for it in the future, I am grateful to know what I'm up against. Our recent research at Culture Amp delves into the experience of women leaders, highlighting disparities in how the workplace is experienced compared to their male peers. In general, C-suite leaders tend to have a heightened experience at the top, let's call it a la-la-land. They answer survey questions much more favorably than do individual contributors. But, when we splice those leaders by gender, it is the men who are pushing the averages up, where women leaders respond more in line with employees at lower levels of the org. So, women are being left out of that heightened experience that should come with making it to the C-suite. To make matters worse, the higher up the leadership ranks women get, the bigger the difference between them and their male peers. Now, I love an opportunity to make some good trouble. So, I am going to make some. Women leaders, what may feel like an individual struggle at the top is not unique to you. We looked at over 1.3 million employees, and over 24k VP+ leaders. This is NOT a you thing. Like the exposure and liberation women got from #MeToo, we need a #NotJustMe. This is a phenomenon and it is everywhere. Collectivizing around shared inequities generates strength and a platform to advocate for better and more. Share your story and experience with another woman leader, share it with me. I will amplify you. Tell me you know it is NOT a you thing. #Research #DiversityandInclusion #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquality #WorkplaceEquality #WomenLeaders Link to the full article and shout outs to the Culture Amp research team are in the comments.

  ➡ When I heard those words in my performance review, they stung: "You can come across as too aggressive." Like many women in leadership positions, I've grappled with this loaded feedback that seems to disproportionately target strong female voices in the workplace. Let's be clear - the same behaviors that earn men labels like "assertive" and "decisive" often lead to women being branded as "aggressive" or "difficult." ➡ This double standard isn't just frustrating; it's a barrier to career advancement that needs dismantling. ➡ Rather than dimming your light, use this moment as a catalyst for positive change. Start by examining the specific situations that triggered this feedback. Was it during negotiations? Speaking up in meetings? Document these instances and identify patterns. Then, consider enlisting allies - both male and female colleagues who can provide honest feedback and support. ➡ Schedule a follow-up discussion with your manager to better understand their perspective and share your own. Come prepared with specific examples of your contributions and leadership style. ♀ Remember, by addressing this challenge head-on, you're not just advancing your own career - you're helping create a more equitable workplace for all women who will follow in your footsteps. #WomenImpactingWomen #BreakTheBias #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenSupportingWomen

If more companies are prioritizing DEI, then why am I hearing this from women leaders daily? ❎ They look around a meeting room & realize they’re the only woman there ❎ They struggle being taken seriously & are regularly talked down to or interrupted ❎ They’ve been told not to be so “emotional” when they share an opinion This is still the norm – and women are tired of having to work harder to get & own their seat at the table! So if you’re a company who thinks you’re prioritizing DEI, it may be time to take a hard look in the mirror & start asking your women for feedback. This is one of the many reasons why I created “The WLA Community” – not only so women will feel less alone in these challenges but so they can receive additional hands on support through: 💛 Bi-monthly group workshops with custom coaching on how to overcome these challenges & advocate for your development 💛 Monthly networking calls to build community with women leaders with shared experiences 💛 Bi-monthly guest expert features to hear from other women who’ve been there & receive their guidance on how they were able to break free from these challenges (plus some cools experts on topics like human design 😉) All while having the opportunity to share your wins, personal challenges, what you want to be held accountable for, and anything you want feedback on, on a weekly basis with our fellow members. Want in? DM me for the deets! 🎉

You know, a lot has changed in the past decade. The digital world has transformed, social media now shapes our connections, casual work attire is the new norm, and diversity and inclusion are at the forefront. The pandemic also had a profound impact, underscoring the need for a fresh approach to leadership. Recognizing these shifts, "The Image of Leadership" needed more than just a few tweaks—it needed a complete makeover. So, I didn't just update it; I reimagined and realigned it to fit the times we live in now. However, this journey of revision has also been deeply influenced by the incredible individuals I've met and spoken to over the years. As a keynote speaker, I've learned as much from my audiences as they've learned from me. Their challenges, questions, and stories have enriched my understanding and approach to leadership, making this special edition a reflection of their voices as much as mine. And as I had the absolute privilege to present at many women conferences in the past, this special edition is dedicated to women in leadership. It is tailored to address the unique challenges and triumphs women face daily. It's more than an update; it's a recommitment to leadership principles, finely tuned to the nuances of women's experiences. Whether you're in the boardroom, leading a nonprofit, or driving innovation in your field, this book is for you—the resilient, the ethical, the passionate, the determined woman. So, grab your copy of "The Image of Leadership: A Special Edition for Women" today. Or gift it to a woman who will thank you for supporting her journey to crafting a powerful professional identity. 📙 Head over to Amazon: https://vist.ly/3mi4e2k #WomenInLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #ExecutivePresence #ProfessionalIdentity #WomenWhoLead #WomenInBusiness #FemaleLeaders #WomenInspiringWomen #WomenEntrepreneurs #SheLeads #WomenSupportingWomen #BossLadies #WomenAtWork #CareerWomen #WomenInTheWorkplace #EmpoweredWomen #WomenRising #TheImageofLeadership #sylviedigiusto