Six Keys to Inclusive Leadership with Ayo Owodunni

“We want to have conversations that are meaningful, that are impactful, and I can guarantee you that we are walking away from these conversations trying to implement these in our organization and our community.” – Ayo Owodunni

The finer details of this episode:

• Importance of inclusive leadership and challenges in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
• Business case for DEI and its positive impact on profitability and revenue in companies
• Building trust and connection with diverse team members
• Addressing privilege and mindset shift in viewing people as assets
• Leveraging different perspectives to drive innovation and success
• Importance of fostering inclusive leadership and embracing diversity
• Building trust and rapport in coaching
• Value of emotional intelligence in coaching and leadership
• T-GROW model for coaching conversations
• T-GROW model for setting and achieving goals

Episode resources:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• We’re hiring! Check out our open positions: https://www.summitcpa.net/career-opportunities
• Connect with Ayo here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayoowodunni/
• Check out Ayo here: www.ayoowo.com

Timestamps:

Introduction (00:00:00)

Introducing the podcast and its purpose.

Importance of Inclusive Leadership (00:00:23)

Discussion about the importance of inclusive leadership and the challenges in implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Challenges in Embracing Diversity and Inclusion (00:01:28)

Exploring the challenges and potential facade in companies' investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The Need for Tangible Actions (00:02:11)

Emphasizing the importance of real tangible actions in building inclusive communities and infrastructure.

Commitment to Making a Difference (00:03:11)

Expressing the commitment to meaningful and impactful conversations to incite change in the organization and industry.

Leadership and Psychological Safety (00:04:09)

Discussing the importance of psychological safety and leadership at all levels in organizations.

Background of the Guest (00:07:05)

Ayo introduces himself and his expertise in management consulting and inclusive leadership.

Embracing Privilege and Inclusivity (00:10:30)

Encouraging the embrace of privilege and using it for the good of communities and emphasizing the common goals and connections among individuals.

Shifting Mindset on Diversity and Inclusion (00:13:27)

Highlighting the importance of shifting the mindset from considering diversity and inclusion as expenses to viewing them as investments and assets.

Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion (00:14:26)

Presenting business cases and studies that demonstrate the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in organizations.

Building Trust and Connection (00:19:11)

Strategies for developing relationships, connecting with diverse team members, and fostering trust within the team.

Building Trust and Rapport (00:20:04)

Strategies for building trust and rapport, including asking personal questions and using personality assessments.

Importance of Emotional Intelligence (00:24:57)

Discussion on the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and business relationships.

Empathy and Cultural Understanding (00:25:20)

The value of empathy and understanding different cultural backgrounds in leadership and management.

Fostering Relationships and Trust (00:27:21)

Anecdotes and insights on the importance of fostering relationships and trust in the workplace, including a story about cultural adaptation.

Continuous Relationship Building (00:32:09)

The need for ongoing and intentional relationship building and fostering trust in coaching and leadership.

Different Types of Coaching (00:36:10)

Exploration of on-the-spot coaching and long-term coaching, and the importance of distinguishing between the two in coaching relationships.

Developing Executive Presence (00:39:33)

Discussion on creating a plan for developing executive presence, including setting goals, identifying realities, exploring options, and planning the way forward.

Application of T-GROW Model in CPA Exam Preparation (00:43:20)

Comparison of using the T-GROW model to break down the CPA exam into manageable chunks for better success and its practical applications beyond coaching.

Personal Goal Setting Using T-GROW Model (00:44:13)

Exploration of using the T-GROW model for personal goal setting and self-coaching, emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset and accountability.

The Power of Asking the Right Questions (00:46:06)

Importance of asking the right questions as a coach, fostering collaboration, and empowering individuals to think and come up with their own ideas.

Practical Applications of T-GROW Model (00:47:02)

The effectiveness of coaching through asking questions and helping individuals own their ideas, with practical examples from coaching experiences.

Community Engagement and Personal Interests (00:50:48)

Ayo's involvement in connecting with the community, exploring diverse activities, and personal interests in reading and writing.

Book Recommendation and Leadership Insights (00:52:24)

Ayo's current reading, "Leading" by George B. Cuff, and its relevance to leadership, emphasizing the importance of asking quality questions.

Connect with Io (00:53:38)

Ayo's contact information for connecting on LinkedIn, Instagram, or visiting the website.

Closing Remarks (00:54:18)

Thanking Ayo for the insightful discussion and expressing interest in future webinars, followed by a brief advertisement for career opportunities.