One of the biggest problems I didn’t anticipate in running The Culture Ministry, a Diversity & Inclusion consulting business, is getting paid.

You would think this is a straightforward task.

I do the agreed work. I give the company an invoice. They pay invoice by the date specified on the invoice. Done.

Not done 😩

I remember the day well.

The day I found out the incumbent in the global Diversity & Inclusion role in my company, had resigned. Who would resign from such an amazing role? (I thought to myself.)

I applied, and secured that role. And this is where things went a bit sideways.

When I first started working in my career in human resources, which included organisational development, change management and diversity and inclusion, I was given opportunities not because I knew all the things.

I was given opportunities because I could work stuff out. I remember saying in one interview (multiple times) that no I didn't know how to do that yet but I would love to learn. I got that job.

Are you asking for permission to coach or give advice? Or just ploughing ahead anyway?

Are you taking up all the verbal space and oxygen while people’s eyes are glazing over? 

Have you forgotten how a conversation works? Or your manners? Your ethics? Your curiosity?

Inclusion is about good conversations.

For ages, my happy place was influencing leaders through sheer charm and persuasive arguments (cue evil laugh: mwahahaha). Building relationships and connections felt like the real way to make change happen in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

But I've had a bit of an epiphany. While relationships are key, backing them up with solid data? That's where the magic really happens.

Yes Trump’s second presidency and the associated media hype around his executive orders are creating a backlash against Diversity Equity and Inclusion work. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a new situation.

I was contemplating this thought as I entered the gym this morning. Luckily, because it’s raining, I suspect, the gym was very quiet. The last time I went (over a week ago, on a public holiday), it was heaving. So. Many. People. There were people on every machine. Sometimes two people taking turns.