Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | & so much more podcast

Summary

This conversation highlights Centra's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through a partnership with Tanya Blackmon, a nationally recognized DEI executive. Tanya shares her experience, influenced by her military upbringing, emphasizing the importance of inclusion. Kristen King, Centra's VP of HR Talent, discusses the organization's DEI steering committee and its strategic approach to embedding DEI into the culture. The dialogue explores the listening tour process, where employees and community members share their stories, helping shape a long-term, meaningful DEI strategy aimed at creating an inclusive, supportive work environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tanya Blackmon's background in the military taught her the value of inclusion and working with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• 😀 Kristen King emphasizes that DEI is not just a policy at Centra, but a core part of the organization's culture and long-term strategy.
• 😀 Centra's DEI Steering Committee plays a key role in shaping the strategy and ensuring DEI is integrated into all aspects of the organization.
• 😀 Tanya's listening tour across Centra’s facilities focuses on gathering diverse perspectives to shape the DEI strategy.
• 😀 Centra's cultural value of 'connectedness' reinforces its commitment to making all employees and patients feel included and valued.
• 😀 Feedback from employees, including those in less-represented roles like male nurses, is integral to creating a truly inclusive environment at Centra.
• 😀 Tanya encourages candid conversations and stresses that employees’ voices are essential to the DEI process.
• 😀 Centra's DEI efforts aim to improve both the work environment for employees and the experience for patients and community members.
• 😀 DEI work at Centra is recognized as a long-term commitment and is not seen as a short-term initiative or checkbox.
• 😀 Tanya highlights the business case for DEI, noting that inclusive organizations perform better financially, foster innovation, and have stronger team collaboration.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Centra's journey discussed in this conversation?

Centra is focusing on a journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), aiming to make these principles an integral part of their culture, strategy, and operations.

Who are the key figures introduced in this discussion and what are their roles?

The key figures are Tanya Blackmon, President of Aspen Consulting, a nationally recognized DEI executive, and Kristen King, VP of HR Talent at Centra, who is leading the DEI Steering Committee.

What personal experience does Tanya Blackmon share that influences her passion for DEI?

Tanya shares her experience growing up as a military dependent, moving frequently and learning how to adapt to different cultures and backgrounds. This helped her understand the importance of inclusion and making people feel welcome.

How does Kristen King view DEI in the context of Centra's organizational culture?

Kristen emphasizes that DEI is not a standalone policy or checkbox for Centra but a fundamental part of the organization’s culture, embedded in the values and strategic priorities, particularly around cultural connectedness and people-first values.

What is the role of Centra's DEI Steering Committee?

The DEI Steering Committee at Centra is tasked with developing a strategic plan for implementing DEI initiatives, aligning with the organization’s broader mission and ensuring that these efforts are integrated throughout the organization.

What is Tanya's approach during the listening tour at Centra?

Tanya's approach is to listen attentively to the voices of employees across all levels, roles, and facilities. She gathers both written and unwritten feedback to understand the true culture of Centra and use that insight to develop a strategic DEI plan.

How does Tanya plan to use the feedback from the listening tour?

The feedback from the listening tour will be used to inform the development of a DEI strategic plan, helping Centra to address the needs and desires of its employees, patients, and community, ultimately leading to a more inclusive environment.

Why does Tanya stress the importance of listening to all perspectives during the tour?

Tanya believes that truly listening to people’s experiences helps uncover valuable insights that can drive meaningful change. She emphasizes the importance of listening with an open mind to understand different perspectives and foster inclusivity.

What has been the initial response from Centra employees to the DEI initiatives?

The initial response has been positive. Employees are eager to participate and have expressed hope and excitement about the DEI efforts. Many have reached out to get involved after learning about Tanya's work and the DEI roadmap.

What business case is associated with DEI work, according to Tanya?

Tanya highlights that organizations with strong DEI practices are more likely to meet or exceed financial targets, foster better team collaboration, and be more innovative. There is a clear business case for DEI, as it leads to improved organizational performance.