Who you Listen to and What can you do?
Hilary McVey
Managing Partner, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility at Deloitte Canada
The news is heavy. I rarely lose sleep but it’s hard not to worry what the endgame is for all the protests. I worry if I’ve doing enough. I take advice from people I respect. I read books, articles, etc. I took a conscious effort to diversify my Twitter feed awhile ago to make sure I was hearing voices of all types. If you only learn from people with the same background and ethnicity as yourself – how can you change? And hardest of all, I try and listen more than talk. This is a challenge for anyone who knows me.
Here are some things you could do today that cost nothing:
1. Diversify your feed.
2. If you are a hiring manager make sure diversity is on your radar and you are aware of the research that diverse teams are stronger teams. Have you brainstormed with your sourcing team to fill the funnel with a more diverse slate of candidates?
3. Mentor/Coach/Sponsor someone who needs your support and network for reasons of race or gender or sexual orientation.
4. If you see anything that remotely looks like racism – speak up immediately no matter the cost. (I had to part ways with a friend a few years back – it was challenging but the right thing to do.)
5. Read books by authors with lived experience. For the past year our book club has been on a tour of the world to hear new voices and perspectives.
6. Amplify people in your circle to help them take advantage of your network.
I’m very proud to see how many of my colleagues are taking our new pledge to emb(Race) - see below for the pledge. One of the reasons I love high tech is our multi-cultural nature. We are all equal.
Now the success will be keeping the momentum going. I am ready to brainstorm on how we can get better. I’m ready to use my privilege for others. I am not afraid of tough conversations. I know there is still more heartache ahead, but there are also glimmers of light. Dive in and have a conversation to learn more, you won’t regret it.
I’d love to take more steps/hear more ideas – hit me up in the comments to keep the ideas flowing.
?? UX Design Lead ?? Lover of team building, ?? Insightful conversations, &?? Great ideas
4 年Hey Hilary, nice post, I wonder: what if IBM could fund some anti-racism coaching and counselling for employees interested in that tough, but necessary growth. Any thoughts? Maybe you’d have more insight than me on how an initiative like that could get some legs.
IBM Project Manager
4 年I might suggest checking out books and viewing YouTube clips of Jane Elliott an educator and grad of University of Northern Iowa.
Thanks for sharing Hilary. Like you, I listened yesterday. And seeing the #BlackoutTuesdays flourishing across social media gave a nice warm feeling....but we have had these moments before: for years, for decades, for centuries. And the one voice that kept coming back to me was James Baldwin "I can't believe what you say, because I see what you do". A blunt reminder that for those of us with privilege and power, we can't just talk the nice words, we have to act.
Partner - IBM Canada Ltd (Retired) / Associée - IBM Canada Ltée (Retraitée)
4 年Well said Hilary! Great suggestions!
Partner, IBM Consulting, Passionate Advocate for Inclusion, Diversity and Sustainability
4 年Thank you for writing this Hilary McVey, MPNL (she/her) it’s been a day of listening and actions