Lilly: It's not only seizing the moment, but it's also having leaders who have the vision of strategy. You need to really implement the educational components, like you said, Lilly and really have those people who specialize in that do it. Too often people start with an issue, but they don't start with what they want the end game to be. What is your end game? What is it that you really want to realize? And if you ask someone and they don't know and they're within that movement, that means you need more strategy.
When you have an idea for a change that would make your workplace better for women, where do you begin? How can you push for a childcare stipend, a company-wide pay audit, a more comprehensive health care plan, or an ombuds office? If you instigate the change, do you have to be the face of it? What are the other roles you can play?
Two experts in systemic, organizational change explain the behind-the-scenes strategizing, relationship building, and risk management that should happen before approaching the people in charge, who will then need to support, fund, and build out the proposal. And because sustaining a grassroots initiative requires motivating a bunch of volunteers, they also share tried-and-true ways to keep everyone invested in the cause, aligned, and on track.
Guests:
Lily Zheng is a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist and executive coach. Their latest book is DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right.
Ashley Lewis is the assistant director of the UAW’s women’s department and a national vice president for the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Resources:
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