As a woman in the tech industry, I am passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and diversity in leadership roles. Empowering women and providing them with equal opportunities to thrive in the tech world is essential. To delve deeper into this topic, I had the pleasure of speaking with Cara Shortsleeve, the CEO of The Leadership Consortium (TLC). Cara has extensive experience in tech leadership, having worked at Google and YouTube before joining TLC. Together, we explored the importance of diversity in leadership, the work of TLC in accelerating diverse leaders, and the challenges faced by underrepresented talent.
The Business Rationale for Diversity
One of the key reasons to prioritize diversity in leadership is its positive impact on business success. Cara emphasizes that “businesses are more successful when they are more representative throughout their ranks, especially in leadership positions.” This is because diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to increased creativity and innovation. Cara highlights the importance of meeting the needs of diverse markets by having a workforce that reflects the diversity of consumers. She states, “As we think about how to meet the needs of the markets out there, we will be best served if we can be more representative of that difference.”
The Personal and Moral Imperative
In addition to the business rationale, a personal and moral imperative exists to create a culture of inclusion and diversity. Cara believes that everyone’s potential is evenly distributed, but access to opportunity is not. She states, “There is a moral argument that this is the right thing to do.” Ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity, is essential. By embracing diversity, we can create a more equitable society and provide a platform for all individuals to succeed.
The Work of the Leadership Consortium (TLC)
TLC is a leadership development platform designed to accelerate high-potential and diverse leaders. They work directly with organizations to create inclusive cultures and focus on developing individual leaders. Cara explains, “We work with leaders from diverse backgrounds and also leaders from the majority group. Both are key to creating inclusive cultures.” TLC provides programmatic content, coaching, and interventions to assist individuals in their growth and development. They also work on improving the overall system within organizations to incorporate diversity and inclusion.
The Role of Leaders in Creating Inclusive Cultures
Leaders play a crucial role in creating inclusive cultures within their organizations. Cara emphasizes the importance of not letting the burden of diversity fall on the diverse individuals themselves. She states, “The burden of diversity should be held by the group, not the diverse individual.” It is essential for leaders to enable and empower diverse individuals, as well as advocate for inclusive practices within their teams. Cara highlights the impact of allies and advocates from the majority group, stating that they can have an outsized influence on creating inclusive cultures.
Starting the Journey Towards Inclusion
Cara suggests starting with education for organizations where individuals predominantly lead from the majority group. It is crucial for leaders to understand the benefits of diversity and inclusion and how it can drive business success. She also advises organizations to fast-track internal talent from underrepresented groups into positions of influence. Organizations can create a pipeline of diverse leaders by providing opportunities for growth and development. Additionally, organizations should prioritize diversity in their hiring processes to ensure a more representative workforce.
Tackling Biases and Fostering Curiosity
Biases can hinder the progress toward creating inclusive cultures. Cara acknowledges that bias busting is complex and suggests focusing on curiosity rather than judgment. She advises, “How can you use curiosity and not judgment when encountering difference?” Individuals can seek to understand and challenge their biases by approaching differences with curiosity. Cara believes that curiosity can prevent the brain from entering a moment of judgment and allow for ingesting different perspectives and data.
The Challenges Faced by Underrepresented Talent
Underrepresented talent, such as young mothers, often face unique challenges in the workplace. Cara acknowledges the difficulties of balancing work and family responsibilities. She advises young mothers to prioritize self-care and seek help when needed. Cara states, “Everything will look better after 9 hours of sleep.” She also highlights working parents’ resilience and skills, such as prioritization and time management. Despite the challenges, Cara believes that parenthood can make individuals more powerful and effective leaders.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Creating a culture of inclusion and diversity in tech leadership is crucial for business success, personal growth, and moral reasons. Organizations must prioritize diversity and inclusion from the start and ensure that the burden of diversity does not fall on the diverse individuals themselves. Leaders play a vital role in creating inclusive cultures and should prioritize education, fast-track internal talent, and foster curiosity to tackle biases. Despite underrepresented talent challenges, there is hope for a more inclusive future. We can create a more equitable and innovative tech industry by embracing diversity.
In conclusion, the journey toward creating a culture of inclusion and diversity in tech leadership requires a collective effort from organizations, leaders, and individuals. We can build a more inclusive and successful tech industry by prioritizing diversity, fostering curiosity, and providing equal opportunities. The work of organizations like TLC and the commitment of leaders like Kara Short sleeve are instrumental in driving this change. Let us continue to strive for a future where diversity and inclusion are the norm in tech leadership.
Listen to the full podcast episode.
Follow Cara on Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carashortsleeve/
Learn more about The Leadership Consortium (TLC) – https://www.theleadershipconsortium.org/
