Are you a CEO struggling to protect your brand's values in today's political climate? In this essential episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, host Rhodes Perry interviews MMG Earth CEO, Mckenzie Mack, and former Reddit CEO, Ellen Pao, about their groundbreaking report, “DEI Now: Leading with Integrity and Inclusion.”

Discover why setting clear "red lines,” or boundaries rooted in your values, is a strategic necessity, not just an ethical choice. Learn how to avoid the "wrong side of history" by applying lessons from the past, and learn how to apply them to mitigate risk while preserving your brand’s reputation. This episode shows leaders they are not powerless, offering insights on the critical role of customers, employees, and shareholders in upholding integrity and building trust.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

• [4:50] The three groups of companies navigating the political difficulty.

• [6:45] Defining "Red Lines": Boundaries leaders refuse to compromise on.

• [9:15] Aligning business actions with company values (e.g., avoiding conflicting contracts).

• [11:15] Historical lessons: Avoiding the "wrong side of history" (The "frog in the hot water pot" analogy).

• [18:30] The role of employees: How to advocate for values without taking on too much labor.

• [22:15] The role of shareholders: How public votes are forcing companies to define their commitment.

Grow the Belonging Movement!

• 📖Read the report, DEI Now, here: https://projectinclude.org/assets/pdf/Project-Include-DEI-Now.pdf

• 🎧Listen to our DEI New Era podcast minisode here: https://www.rhodesperry.com/newera

• 📝Sign up for the Belonging Movement Newsletter: http://www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

• 📚Get a copy of Imagine Belonging: http://www.rhodesonamazon.com/

🏆Book a 1:1 coaching session with Rhodes: https://tinyurl.com/5n6f47pz

Are you struggling with how to talk about your organization's DEI commitments in today’s volatile climate? In this episode of the "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality" mini-series, host Rhodes Perry offers message-tested communication strategies to fortify the heart of your work.

Discover how to take a "Goldilocks approach," balancing what you say to different audiences to avoid legal risks while protecting your brand's reputation. Learn why the full phrase "diversity, equity, and inclusion" is more powerful than the acronym "DEI" and how to frame your initiatives around universal values like fairness, respect, and belonging.

This episode gives you the practical tools to navigate challenging conversations, counter divisive narratives, and ensure your message resonates with everyone.

• [2:00] The "Goldilocks approach" to DEI messaging.

• [4:30] Organizational development best practices for communications.

• [7:00] Winning messages that resonate across audiences.

• [10:15] The power of using full words over the "DEI" acronym.

• [12:00] Using "targeted universalism" to fortify your work.

• [14:30] Practices to avoid when communicating about DEI.

• 📝Sign up for the Belonging Movement Newsletter: http://www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

• 📚Get a copy of Imagine Belonging: http://www.rhodesonamazon.com/

🏆Book a 1:1 coaching session with Rhodes: https://tinyurl.com/5n6f47pz

In this special bonus episode of the "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality" mini-series, we reflect on the material consequences of inflammatory rhetoric and dangerous policies that impact protected employee groups. Host Rhodes Perry identifies the groups disproportionately impacted and outlines the strategy behind Project 2025, which aims to unravel decades of civil rights gains.

This episode offers a critical examination of how threats to civil rights enforcement, mass deportations, and healthcare restrictions can impact your workforce and business outcomes. You'll learn essential best practices for conducting impact assessments and delivering targeted support to help your organization gain a competitive edge by protecting and retaining the next generation of talent.

Don’t miss this crucial conversation about how to support employees, acknowledge their unique needs, and build a culture of belonging for all.

• [2:00] Identifying employee groups disproportionately impacted by anti-DEI attacks.

• [4:30] A look at Project 2025 and its material consequences.

• [7:00] Best practices for conducting impact assessments and delivering employee support.

• [10:15] Why investing in trauma-informed leadership is crucial.

• [13:00] Practices to avoid, including adopting a universal approach and overlooking intersectionality

• 📝Sign up for the Belonging Movement Newsletter: http://www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe

• 📚Get a copy of Imagine Belonging: http://www.rhodesonamazon.com/

🏆Book a 1:1 coaching session with Rhodes: https://tinyurl.com/5n6f47pz