Navigating Diversity and Equity Across Borders: Insights from Toby Mildon
Toby Mildon is on a mission to help put the right strategies in place to improve retention, innovation, productivity, profitability and so much more. In this episode of Training Unleashed, Evan Hackle and Toby have an enlightening discussion on diversity and inclusion.
Comparing Diversity Discussions: UK vs. US
The definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion are remarkably similar in the UK and the US. Toby emphasizes the importance of all three elements for creating a fair society. Diversity includes everyone, inclusion enables full contributions, and equity emphasizes personalized approaches. Toby introduces the iceberg analogy, stating that visible characteristics represent only 10% of our diversity, while the remaining 80% consists of invisible attributes. Understanding this diversity is crucial for creating an inclusive and respectful work environment.
Impact of Bias on Decision-Making
Bias, often automatic and unintentional, significantly influences decision-making, especially in critical situations like hiring or promotions. Toby highlights the importance of being mindful, curious, and challenging assumptions to understand individuals and their strengths.
Six Signature Traits of Inclusive Leadership
Toby shares the six traits identified by Deloitte for inclusive leadership:
- Curiosity: A trait essential for inclusive leaders.
- Cognizance: Being aware of biases and blind spots.
- Courage: Fostering honest, frank, and brave discussions.
- Cultural Intelligence: Understanding and navigating different cultures.
- Collaboration: Encouraging effective collaboration across teams.
- Commitment: A commitment to diversity and inclusion, challenging the status quo.
Inclusive Growth: Good for Business
Toby emphasizes that diverse teams make better decisions, and McKinsey’s reports support the idea that diverse leadership teams lead to more profitable businesses. Inclusive cultures improve creativity, innovation, customer experiences, and employee retention, leading to positive business outcomes.
About Our Guest
Toby Mildon, the founder of Milton Echo Ltd., is a dedicated advocate for fostering inclusive cultures within organizations. With a wealth of experience, Toby collaborates with clients to drive positive change, improve productivity, and create environments where everyone feels valued. For more information about Toby Mildon and his work, visit Milton Echo Ltd.. Connect with Toby on LinkedIn, where he shares valuable content regularly.