Inclusive Storytelling and Gender Equity (Part 1)

I am passionate about many things; the power of inclusive storytelling is high among them. Storytelling is one of my—and Siegel+Gale ’s—preferred lenses through which to view and build brands.

With inclusive storytelling and gender equity as the focus, I recently hosted leading CMOs at five in-person panels (Dubai, Dublin, London, New York, and San Francisco) and, in the spirit of inclusion, one virtual panel. Just as we traversed continents, our illustrious panelists and audiences traversed industries, spanning, for example, B2B to B2C, technology to transportation, and early-stage to enduring enterprises.

To hear all six conversations, listen to the How CMOs Commit podcast on Spotify or Apple .

We explored many topics, including:

? How brands can simultaneously build their brands and forge a more gender-equal world

? How storytelling in our marketing programs can shape culture and public opinion

? What brand or other initiatives our panelists’ companies have taken to support gender equity

? Why embracing gender equity supports business goals

I am an ardent believer in the idea that we—as people and as brands—are largely the product of our commitments. Our pledges catalyze our behaviors and allocation of resources. So, in closing, I asked our panelists:

“What is your organization’s commitment (or personal commitment) to forging greater gender equity, and how will you measure progress?”

Given that our 39 panelists encompassed a variety of identities—race, gender, geography, age, to name a few—one might expect isolated pledges. It was, however, quite the contrary. Though some statements certainly were broad, the commitments coalesced into three themes: (1) Examination + Tracking, (2) Education + Training, (3) Exposure + Access.

Alone, they elucidate the opportunities and realities facing CMOs, acting as a time capsule for the role of brands in challenging stereotypes today. Together, these themes illustrate the arc of a brand’s or leader’s commitment to creating a more inclusive world. For instance, the themes—to borrow a word from one our panelists that particularly resonated with me— “cascade” from one another, marching towards a society that represents women equally and expansively and, simultaneously, advances key stakeholders and business goals.

The conversations on brand and inclusive storytelling touched on many areas, from female representation to cross-sector collaboration, from data to intergenerational support, and from optimism to the reality of what still needs to be done to achieve gender equity.

Most of all, I was struck by the nuance of the brand initiatives and the panelists' conviction that they are at once building their brands and forging a more gender-equal world. The CMOs prioritized progress over perfection, acknowledging the long journey towards equity. This awareness is important because it anchors the commitments in pragmatism—these commitments go beyond storytelling to story-doing. They go beyond making promises to keeping promises.

As you read, I encourage you to consider your own commitment to forging inclusive brands. You might find yourself inspired by the CMOs who make this a deliberate, daily devotion.

“When you, as a brand leader, commit to telling inclusive stories, the brand expands from presenting its existence to revealing its reason for being.”

?I will explore the three themes over the next three weeks alongside the responses of the CMOs. (To read all three themes, download the complete report?HERE .)

In the meantime, I ask you, fellow inclusive storytellers, what is your commitment to forging greater gender equity, and how will you measure progress? Comment ??