Michelle Silverthorn’s Post

Now, more than ever, people desire to feel seen, heard, and recognized. They want to feel relevant, included, and like they matter. But so many people don’t. They feel invisible, excluded, and overlooked. They wonder if they matter. Last week, I have the opportunity to interview Mita Mallick about the topic of her new book - Reimagine Inclusion. Something she said in our conversation and wrote in her book was this: 💬 “Inclusion doesn’t start at our conference room tables; it starts at our kitchen tables.” It starts in our homes and in our communities. As we celebrate the life and legacy of MLK Jr. today, I think the greatest gift we can give each other is the gift of listening, the gift of our presence. To seek to understand. To do the hard work of looking in the mirror and being willing to learn, grow, and change. To read a book like this one that - through storytelling, wit, and wisdom - shows you how to transform your workplace and yourself. Here’s one thing you can do today to get started: 📱 Reach out to someone that you often overlook and let them know something specific you value about them. Begin with your sphere of influence. Because “inclusion” starts with “I.” ❤️ #inclusion #belonging #unmuteyourself

Great tips on #allyship in celebration of #Pride month. Another way you can be a great ally: follow Equality Careers! Let's get them over 2k followers so we can help spread the word about #jobs at inclusive employers.

Do you ever second guess yourself when witnessing non-inclusive behavior? Perhaps you wonder if you’re the right person to say or do something. You might ask yourself if you even know the best action to take. You may be concerned that you’ll cause more harm than good. As a result, you could end up doing nothing. In a new edition of "Spiraling Upward: The 5 Co-Creative Powers for Women on the Rise," Wendy Wallbridge described this behavior. She wrote about a man who noticed that a woman colleague wasn’t getting airtime in their group meetings, explaining: “He knew she had things to contribute, but he didn’t know why she wasn’t joining the conversation. He was uncertain what to do, thinking that if he stopped the meeting to ask her opinion, she might feel put on the spot, but if he didn’t do anything, she might never speak up. He wondered if he was being condescending by even thinking about it; was he trying to rescue her? If he tried to help, would she think he was being paternalistic and get offended? Should he just mind his own business?” By overanalyzing the situation, this person might never take action to create a more inclusive workplace. By doing nothing, he signals that he’s fine with how things are. Keeping quiet doesn’t make us neutral; it makes us complicit. Wallbridge’s suggestion? Ask. Ask what actions you can take to support your colleague in the way they want to be supported. After hearing this advice in a workshop, another man asked a coworker if she felt excluded in their meetings. Once he understood her perspective, he took action. Wallbridge explained, “At the beginning of the next meeting, he told the group that he’d like to hear from everyone, and that he’d interrupt the banter to make sure that all voices were being heard.” I love it. — This is an excerpt from my upcoming “5 Ally Actions”. Subscribe and read the full edition at https://lnkd.in/gJApP5cV #BetterAllies #Allyship #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #DEI #Diversity #Allies 🙏

Tips on how to be an effective ally: 🌈 Being an ally means more than just passive support—it involves intentional actions that uplift marginalized voices and create positive change. 📣 Actively Listen and Amplify: Listen to the experiences and challenges faced by marginalized colleagues. Understand their perspectives and validate their feelings. Amplify their voices by sharing their ideas, achievements, and contributions. Use your platform to elevate their visibility. 🗣 Speak Up Against Bias and Microaggressions: When you witness microaggressions, unconscious biases, or discriminatory behavior, don’t stay silent. Address them respectfully. Use your voice to advocate for fairness and equity. Be an ally who actively challenges harmful practices. 📕 Educate Yourself and Research: Continuously educate yourself about LGBTQIA+ issues, history, and terminology. Stay informed about current challenges and progress. Read books, attend workshops, and engage with resources that deepen your understanding. 🤝 Build Genuine Connections: Bridge understanding by building relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Learn about their experiences and perspectives. Show empathy and compassion. Be open to learning from others. Remember, allyship is an ongoing commitment. It’s not about being perfect but about being willing to learn, grow, and actively contribute to a more inclusive workplace. #Allyship #ListenActively #BuildingInclusivity #EqualityAndInclusion #Belonging #EqualityCareers #30daysofallyship

How can you be a better Ally? Check out these great tips from Equality Careers! Don't forget to like/follow Equality Careers if you haven't already! #allyship #activelistening #inclusivity #EqualityCareers

📣 Calling All Male Allies! 📣 In today’s evolving workplace, creating an inclusive environment is crucial. TRIBE is thrilled to introduce our new virtual Male Allies Workshop, crafted to equip men with the tools they need to support colleagues of all genders effectively. Why Attend? This workshop is ideal for anyone eager to grow as an ally, whether you're a seasoned leader or at the beginning of your career. The insights and tools you'll gain are invaluable. What to Expect? Our interactive session will cover: 🤝 Understanding Allyship: Learn what allyship truly means and what it does not. 🔍 Recognizing Blind Spots: Discover why we all have blind spots and how to stay focused on effective allyship. 🌱 Impact on Culture: Understand how allyship can transform organizational culture. 🛠️ Building Your Toolkit: Start developing practical tools to become a more conscious ally. 🌐 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals dedicated to fostering inclusion. Details 📅 Date: 24 July 2024 🕒 Time: 10am-12pm (BST) 📍 Location: Virtual 🖊️ Register today: https://lnkd.in/eV-DMVyQ Lauren Windebank Megan Stovell-Bone Join us in this journey to make a positive impact! 🌍 #MaleAllyship #Inclusion #Diversity #WorkplaceCulture #Equality #jointribe

I think one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to inclusion is that we direct it towards mostly professional endeavors. When in actuality, inclusion is both professional and personal. Particularly with the SWORD Inclusion system, it is a system that I have used to guide my life. Many of you may have noticed that I have been sharing stories about my mother. I’ve probably talked more to my mother in the last several months than I have talked to my mother in the past 28 years. You see, my mother was placed in a mental institution when I was 13; thus, I grew up primarily without her. Yet, the years that I did have my mother, she had a profound influence on me. I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today without her exemplary example of what it means to be inclusive. She loved and still loves people. Hence, she passed that down to me. I cherish her immensely for that. We have grown so close yet again because I have leveraged my work for my personal life. The SWORD Inclusion system is grounded in leveraging strength and courage to become more inclusive authentically by concentrating on expanding relationships. Within the process, we can foster connection. Inclusion can be healing. We reclaim an aspect of ourselves that we may not have known we were missing. I find it to be the most compelling reason for our human existence. Have a delightful start to your new year! #strengthbasedinclusion #inclusionontheslopes #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #amotherslove

   When you hear the phrase 'male ally' what response does it generate in you? Men are clearly positioned, owing to their gender-conferred privilege and their organizational power, to bring about workplace change. But simply calling yourself an ally to any person of an underrepresented group — including women — misses the point of allyship altogether. 👀 Here are 6 rules to live by for men who aspire to better ally behavior: 1. Allyship is a verb, not a noun. You must take action. 🎆 2. Allyship is a journey, not a destination. Nobody ever “arrives” as an ally. ➡️ 3. Allyship is with, not for. Make your ally actions collaborative. 🙌 4. Allyship perpetuates autonomy, not dependence. You must hold yourself accountable for the outcome of your behavior. 🤔 5. Allyship is about decentering, not standing in the spotlight. Speak less, hand the mic to women with key expertise, and structure projects so women gain credit. 📢 6. Allyship is critical of the status quo. Examine longstanding practices that perpetuate systemic inequities. 💣 #bethechangeyouwanttosee #genderequality #femaleempowerment #lifeatleyton #womenempowerment #investinwomen #diversity #inclusion #diversitymatters Brian G. James Marden Jack Hankey Navid Sotoodeh Gillian Cole Elena Karadzhova Davina J.

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Friday! I hope you are feeling gifted as we are halfway through September. I am often impressed by how talented people are. In Phase Five: Daily Assessment, we use our gifts daily to foster inclusion. If people are involved, there is an opportunity for inclusion. Here are some factors to consider. --- MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS: We can fixate on trying to find a solution to inclusion. However, there are multiple solutions as it is systematic. --- HONOR OVERALL PROCESS: It takes deliberate effort to be inclusive. We celebrate the progress and keep going while acknowledging milestones. --- HONOR INTERNAL PROCESS: We can tell when we have become more inclusive for what was once uncomfortable becomes comfortable. Then, we do it again. Growth happens outside of our comfort zone. We can trust that we have the gifts to navigate it. It’s what being an individual is all about. Enjoy the weekend! #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #inclusionincludesyoutoo #InclusionontheSlopes #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseFiveDailyAssessment

Be Kind, Be Brave, Be an Ally As we value individuality and our right to express our thoughts, we always remember to be kind and approach each conversation with curiosity. Everyone has something to add and contribute. We must encourage everyone to engage and be engaged. More importantly, we must be brave and welcome opinions that are different from ours—not because they might be right or wrong, but because they help us grow. We must use whatever capital we have to support others—not because they need it, but because they deserve it. Be an ally for those whose voices have been muted and for those whose differences or vulnerabilities are attacked and exploited. #Kindness #Bravery #Allyship #Inclusion #Diversity #SupportOthers #GrowthMindset #Empowerment #Curiosity #Individuality #Communit