Episode description

In this insightful episode of Founder's Story, host Daniel Robbins sits down with Marilyn Nagel, a seasoned leader in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and Co-Founder of Risequity. Marilyn shares her journey, the importance of diverse and inclusive workplaces, and her advocacy for effective communication in today’s rapidly evolving work environments.

Key Discussion Points:

Why Risequity?

Marilyn explains the inspiration behind Risequity, which was founded to help companies foster diverse and inclusive work environments. She emphasizes that diversity goes beyond demographics—it includes varied ways of thinking and problem-solving, which leads to better decision-making.

The Value of a Diverse Workforce

Marilyn and Daniel discuss how diverse teams outperform non-diverse ones due to their range of perspectives. Marilyn illustrates this with a compelling example: "If Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters, it might still be around." She advocates for diverse leadership as a pathway to more thoughtful and resilient companies.

Addressing the Needs of a Multigenerational Workforce

Marilyn discusses how different generations view work-life balance and job satisfaction. As more younger employees seek fulfilling and flexible work environments, Risequity helps companies create workplaces where employees can thrive and grow in their roles without feeling the need to leave.

Leveraging Employee Strengths

Marilyn emphasizes focusing on employees' strengths rather than weaknesses. She shares a powerful example from her time as Chief Diversity Officer at Cisco, where shifting an employee to a role better suited to their strengths transformed them into a top performer. She advocates using tools like StrengthsFinder to align roles with individual capabilities.

The Rise of the Four-Day Workweek

Marilyn shares her support for the four-day workweek, stressing the need to eliminate unproductive meetings and unnecessary tasks. She argues that reducing work hours without overloading schedules can lead to a healthier work environment and promote innovation.

Upcoming Webinar on Civility in the Workplace

Marilyn highlights an upcoming webinar on "Civility in the Workplace in Turbulent Times," featuring communication expert Sherry Browning. Set for November 12th at noon PST, the webinar will cover strategies for navigating challenging conversations and building respectful workplaces—timely advice for an increasingly polarized world.

Noteworthy Quotes:

• "Diversity is about more than demographics; it’s about embracing different ways of thinking to make better decisions."
• "Focus on what employees are good at, and let them shine. That’s how teams succeed."
• "If we want creativity and innovation, we need to avoid burnout and give people the space to recharge."

Connect with Risequity and Register for the Webinar:

• Website: Risequity
• Webinar: "Civility in the Workplace in Turbulent Times" on November 12th at noon PST. Email or visit the Risequity website to register.