Listen "291: Kind Curiosity: How to Navigate DEI Conversations with Bernadette Smith"
Episode Synopsis
Send us a textHow can mid-career professionals engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations without fear of saying the wrong thing? Bernadette Smith, CEO of the Equality Institute, shares her ARC Method—Ask, Respect, Connect—a simple yet powerful approach to fostering authentic connections while ensuring psychological safety at work.In This Episode, You'll Learn:✅ How to navigate DEI discussions with confidence and "kind curiosity"✅ Why over-apologizing for mistakes can do more harm than good ✅ How to build meaningful relationships in workplaces scaling back DEI efforts ✅ Why progress in social movements includes setbacks—but connections endure ✅ How pickleball (yes, pickleball!) offers surprising lessons in inclusionKey Takeaways:✔ The ARC Method makes DEI conversations more approachable and effective ✔ A simple, sincere apology is better than over-apologizing ✔ Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it strengthens relationships ✔ DEI isn’t about political correctness—it’s about harnessing diversity for successSubscribe to Bernadette’s newsletter → FiveThingsDEI.comBernadette Smith’s Website → https://BernadetteSmith.com Listen to her podcast → Five Things in 15 MinutesIf you're looking to lead with inclusion and confidence, this episode is a must-listen!Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.