Ridley Consulting Group

Year 3 delivering a keynote on belonging at work for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)!

?? Belonging + Wellbeing = Workplace Magic in 2025 ?? This year, I’m doubling down on creating workplaces where everyone feels?valued and included.?Why? Because belonging isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for?wellbeing?and?business success. WebMD’s article,?The Case for Belonging,?highlights how: ? Inclusive cultures fuel satisfaction ? Visible leadership support for wellbeing drives impact ? Belonging boosts both employee and organizational thriving Let’s champion cultures that value every voice and prioritize care at all levels. How are you creating belonging in your organization this year? Drop your ideas below—let’s inspire each other! ?? https://lnkd.in/gXu_7ytC #Belonging #Wellbeing #InclusiveLeadership #ThrivingWorkplaces

?? Here’s a thought-provoking question to kick off the new year – Is "quiet DEI" a smart strategy—or a step backward? This CNN article explores the trend of?"quiet DEI"—where organizations are scaling back their more visible DEI efforts to avoid controversy. Instead of boldly leading, some companies are adopting a more discreet approach, embedding DEI into broader initiatives like leadership development without explicitly calling it out. On one hand, this might ensure DEI values remain integrated into daily work, even in a challenging environment. On the other, it risks watering down its impact and signaling to employees that DEI values are not a priority. ???Here’s what I’m curious about:?If you’ve seen DEI go underground at work, how has it made you feel as an employee or leader? ?? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Is "quiet DEI" a smart strategy—or a step backward? https://lnkd.in/gnKc4JKx #DEI #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #Belonging

I’m starting the new year with a laser focus on?belonging?and?wellbeing?because they go hand-in-hand when building thriving workplaces. Did you know that fostering a sense of belonging can: ? Ease loneliness and burnout ? Boost happiness and performance ? Create connection in diverse teams This Forbes article,?The Power of Belonging at Work: A Wellbeing Perspective,?dives into why belonging is a workplace superpower—and I couldn’t agree more. Let’s prioritize connection and care as key strategies for success in 2024. What’s one way your workplace is sparking belonging? Share your ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear them! ?? https://lnkd.in/eQrUxJrV #Belonging #Wellbeing #WorkplaceCulture #ThrivingTeams

?? Exciting news! I'm back for a third season with?TMJ4 News The Morning Blend! ?? Once a month, I’ll be joining Molly Fay. and Tiffany Ogle to dive into hot workplace topics as a leadership and workplace expert. Last season, we tackled everything from combating loneliness at work ??, to bridging generational divides ??, to navigating tricky workplace politics ???. This year, I’m gearing up to explore even more of the challenges (and opportunities!) shaping today’s workplaces. ?? My first segment airs on?January 13th—and I need?your?ideas! What’s keeping you up at night about work? ???? What conversations do you wish more workplaces were having? Drop your thoughts below—no idea is off the table! Let’s make this season as engaging and impactful as possible. ?? Can’t wait to hear what’s on your mind!

???What a Year of Inclusive Leadership!??? Yesterday members of my 2024 Inclusive Leaders Roundtable wrapped up an incredible year with a behind-the-scenes tour at Stone Creek Coffee Roasters. Earlier this year, co-founder Melissa Perez joined our roundtable to share how their B-Corp certification drives their commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and community impact. It was inspiring to see those values in action—from how they engaged their staff to their customers and farmers. This tour was the perfect way to close out a year of learning, growing, and prioritizing inclusion and belonging through the Inclusive Leaders Roundtable. I’m so grateful to our 2024 members who contributed to this journey of exploring how to create thriving, inclusive workplaces. If you’d like to learn about the 2025 version of the roundtable—my new?Belonging Builder online community—comment?“YES”?below! Let’s keep the momentum going in the new year and beyond! ?? 2024 Inclusive Leaders Roundtable Members: DeAnna Osteen Kelly Cantwell Laila Azam Michelle Naples Candice Cole-Smith, MBA Deidre Garrett, MS Heather Berklund @Melissa Carter Tifene Brown, MBA Trish P. Jermaine Murry Aliyah Reyes #leadership #inclusion #belonging #community

?“We don’t talk about it because the teachers don’t know how.” That’s what my high school-aged son said when I asked what his social studies class discussed after the presidential election. I was floored. Social studies?is?where you talk about elections. Isn’t that the point? But then it hit me—it’s not that teachers don’t?know?how. It’s that they’re afraid. Afraid of backlash, angry parents, or even lawsuits. And so, instead of navigating tough conversations, we avoid them altogether. This isn’t just a classroom issue—it’s a societal one. By running from discomfort, we’re teaching the next generation that silence is safer than dialogue. That avoiding differences is easier than learning to engage across them. The consequence? A workforce (and a world) that struggles to collaborate, innovate, or solve complex problems because we’ve never practiced staying curious when we disagree. Here’s the thing: learning to engage across differences isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a?must-have?leadership skill. If we can’t seek to understand when we don’t agree, we can’t lead. Period. That’s why I focus on this skill in my inclusive leadership workshops and online course. It’s not easy to flex the muscle of curiosity when tensions are high, but it’s the key to building engaged, high-performing teams and making better decisions. Want to start building that muscle? Watch my short video from my Belonging Basics online course for practical tips on?how?to stay open when you encounter perspectives that challenge your own. And let’s challenge ourselves—and our schools—to lead by example. If we don’t model this for the next generation, who will? https://lnkd.in/gmx64Gts #inclusion #dialogue #belonging #leadership

?? People are happier, healthier, and more resilient when they feel connected. When employees truly?belong, they thrive—and so does your team! ?? That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with the Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) to bring you the?Belonging Builder Learning Lab—a 3-week program designed to help you build and practice the skills to foster a culture of belonging in your workplace. Ready to strengthen your team and workplace culture? ???Click?here?for details, dates, and registration info. Let’s create workplaces where everyone can thrive together! ?? https://lnkd.in/gmPGkjF3

Belonging + Wellbeing = A Must for 2025 As we look to 2025, one thing is clear: the connection between belonging and employee wellbeing is no longer just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a business priority. When employees feel like they belonging, they are healthier and happier. That’s why I’m thrilled to be partnering with the Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) to facilitate a panel at their upcoming conference on this vital topic. Along with panelists Jodi Greenmeier, Tifene Brown, MBA and Elizabeth T. Priller, MSN-TL, RN, we’ll dive into the tough questions leaders are asking: ???How do you keep belonging and wellbeing initiatives alive during budget cuts? ???What does it take to create psychologically safe spaces where employees can discuss sensitive topics openly - like mental health? ???How can fostering belonging drive resilience and organizational success? Join us as we unpack real-world solutions, share practical strategies, and reimagine the intersection between belonging and wellbeing initiatives. See you at the WCWI Conference! #Belonging #Wellbeing #DEIB #WorkplaceCulture

Groupthink—the culprit behind stale ideas and poor decisions—thrives when diverse perspectives get sidelined in the rush for consensus. When teams skip critical reasoning and settle too quickly, innovation takes a backseat. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Leaders can flip the script by bringing inclusive leadership to the table. Here are?3 quick moves to disrupt groupthink: 1???Challenge assumptions:?Take a beat to reflect on your blind spots and stay curious about others’ perspectives. 2???Consult an outsider:?Fresh eyes = fresh ideas! 3???Think positive:?Don't just ask what could go wrong—ask what could go?right! ?? Curious for more? My article dives into?6 practical steps?to minimize groupthink, make smarter decisions, and ignite creativity. ???Click to read and start minimizing group think today! https://lnkd.in/gKabVbJF #innovation #leadership #belonging