E104: Alex Dopazo On Evolution of Inclusion

In this episode, James talks with Alexander Dopazo, Commercial Account Manager at Dopazo & Associates Insurance.

To learn more about Dopazo & Associates Insurance, visit https://www.dopazoinsurance.com/.

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Episode Highlights:

• Alexander explains that diversity can help businesses, communities, and individuals grow, but it is important to approach it from the perspective of helping each other, grow, and reach common goals. (5:08)
• Alexander shares what diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mean. (10:57)
• Alexander discusses the difference between equity and equality. (20:47)
• Alexander mentions that checking your bias is important when making decisions as it can lead to a shift in the way that a business works. (23:29)
• Alexander explains that in order to have a successful conversation, it is important to respect each other’s perspectives and be empathetic to one another. (35:10)
• According to Alexander, when you are thinking about diversity, equity, inclusion, and how your business runs, you have to start to ask yourself those deep questions about who you're trying to reach, and how you can most effectively reach them in a way that makes them feel like they can see themselves as an employee at your business or see themselves as one of the customers of your business. (48:33)
• Alexander mentions that we can build a better industry, community, and society by removing the stigma around talking about diversity, inclusion, and equity. (52:15)

Key Quotes:

• “Equality is a conversation of putting everybody on the same level, equity is understanding that we're not all coming from the same level. And that sometimes in order to be able to help them reach the goals that you're trying to get them to, you need to help offset that in one way, shape, or form." - Alexander Dopazo
• “When you're thinking about diversity, when you're thinking about equity and inclusion, and how your business runs, you really just have to start to ask yourself those deep questions about who you're trying to reach and how you can most effectively reach them in a way that makes them feel like they can see themselves as an employee at your business or see themselves as one of the customers of your business.” - Alexander Dopazo
• “Equity is about respect for each other. That means that I have to understand your perspective, as much as you have to understand my perspective.” - Alexander Dopazo