Cultural Competence

A truly inclusive workplace requires invention and reinvention, mistakes and humility, adaptation to a changing world, constant self-reflection, and, sometimes, significant sacrifice. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Ella Washington talks about her new book, The Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion.

Many organizations do not prioritize recognition at work. When it is given, it’s often experienced differently by employees -- including women and people of color. How can employers make recognition more equitable? Meisha-Ann Martin, senior director of People Analytics and Research at Workhuman, joins the podcast to discuss.

Some employees dread performance reviews; others leave them confused or wishing they got more from them. How can managers be considerate of the best way to deliver feedback? And how can they be more inclusive when giving evaluations? Debbie Goldstein, CEO of Triad Consulting Group, joins the podcast to discuss the changing nature of these conversations in a transforming workplace, common pitfalls managers encounter and how they can avoid them.

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it also presents an opportunity to be thoughtful and considerate of others. Many cultural holidays take place during this time of the year -- and people celebrate them in different ways. How can employers and coworkers alike celebrate and respect one another’s differences? Are there things we should consider as companies host holiday parties? “Cultural Competence” cohosts Dr. Ella Washington and Camille Lloyd also look back on their favorite episodes of 2021.

Talking about money, including one’s pay, is taboo for many -- but there may be a generational shift occurring in attitudes on talking about pay. How should we talk about pay? Why is there a need for pay transparency? And what is the difference between “equal pay for equal work” and pay equity? Ruth Thomas, pay equity strategist at Payscale, joins the podcast to discuss some effective strategies employers can implement in addressing pay inequity. What missteps can organizations avoid in opening up the discussion about pay?

What do the terms “Black,” “African American,” “BIPOC” and “Latinx” mean to people? And how can workplaces take into consideration how these terms are used and perceived? Dr. Erika Hall, assistant professor of organization and management and faculty adviser at The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute, joins the podcast to discuss her research on racial terminology and the implications these words have.

The Fourth of July will now be celebrated on the heels of the United States’ newest federal holiday, Juneteenth. What does this mean for how Americans celebrate freedom -- and how can workplaces use intention, awareness and feedback from employees to celebrate both holidays?Camille Lloyd, director of the Gallup Center on Black Voices, and Dr. Ella F. Washington, CEO of Ellavate Solutions and a Professor of Practice at Georgetown McDonough School of Business, return with the second season of Cultural Competence.

How much of our authentic selves should we bring with us to our jobs? What kind of masks do we wear in life -- and which ones do we wear at work? Dr. Atira Charles, head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at Moet Hennessy, North America, joins the podcast to discuss being your authentic self at the office.

While many U.S. employers make efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, what is the approach of a global organization where employees live across different continents and cultures? Amelia Ransom, senior director of engagement and diversity at Avalara, joins the podcast to discuss the global perspective on D&I -- and why organizations should "lead with questions and not conclusions."

There are moments in history when you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing -- and for many of us, these events unfold while we are at work. What does this mean for our productivity? And how should employers respond? Hosts Camille Lloyd and Dr. Ella Washington discuss last week's storming of the U.S. Capitol and how events like these affect employees and employers alike.

What exactly is code-switching? Is it different from other ways in which individuals change their behavior around different groups and people? How has the pandemic impacted employees’ ability to code-switch at work? And how does code-switching uniquely affect people of color at work? Dr. Courtney L. McCluney, assistant professor of organizational behavior at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, joins the podcast to answer these questions and more.

“Cultural Competence” is a diversity and inclusion podcast from the Gallup Center on Black Voices, hosted by Dr. Ella Washington and Camille Lloyd. We talk to employers and employees alike about what a workplace utopia for diversity, equity and inclusion looks like and the hard work it will take for us to get there. How can employers facilitate meaningful conversations on race in America? And what are the missteps they can avoid in the process? This season, we’ll talk tokenism, pay inequity, political polarization, hair in the workplace and much more. Tune in to “Cultural Competence: a Diversity and Inclusion Podcast” on Dec. 8 wherever you listen to your podcasts. And learn more about the Gallup Center on Black Voices at https://bit.ly/3g54rpXSubscribe to receive updates from the center: https://bit.ly/3mDOgT0