Stop Playing Diversity® with Dr. Monica Cox

This episode defines what it means to be a wishy-washy leader and why it's dangerous in workplaces. Learn how to challenge the status quo in your decision-making and change inequitable policies and practices. If you want to be a courageous leader who steps out of your comfort zone, leads with conviction, and makes a lasting impact in your organization, this episode is for you.

This episode is a continuation of practical advice I offered about being more than a diversity, equity, and inclusion ally. Equity accompliceship involves doing the real work that moves people to professional safety and to places where they can thrive at work.

Today's episode addresses the topic of work grief. Although much is known about mourning the loss of a person, what's it like to grieve the potential of your professional dreams and opportunities? Let today's episode guide you on a reflection of the ups and downs of your job.

Today's episode exposes the tentacles of the patriarchy at work and its harmful impact on organizations. Learn how to push against silence to uplift others, create more inclusive futures, and be on the right side of history.

Sometimes good intentions aren't enough when you engage in DEI efforts. Today's episode offers examples of how DEI can be weaponizing and what it looks like to protect people against attacks that can harm one's career and reputation.

Never be so connected to your job that you can't separate your identity. Today's episode offers guidance about how to remain whole and bold beyond the duration of your employment.

Humanity is the core of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. Today's episode reminds you about how understanding and sharing stories move diversity, equity, and inclusion forward.

Professionalism is a social construct that often penalizes people who don't fit a mold. Today's episode offers examples of ways that professionalism is weaponized in oppressive systems and spaces and presents tips to open our minds about differences in the workplace.

Today's episode delves into a fear that many marginalized people have about sharing their thoughts and views on social media. While it may not be the workplace, virtual spaces can be just as unforgiving as brick-and-mortar environments when it comes to penalizing those who express their opinions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the often-choppy waters of expressing oneself virtually in today's world.

This episode talks about the importance of being honest and upfront in organizations to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. We need to call out organizations' DEI limitations and have candid conversations about the harm they cause. While it can be uncomfortable, we need to learn how to take feedback without getting defensive. Truthtelling is essential to make real change happen and to create a culture that values authentic diversity and inclusivity.

Many organizations say they have advanced their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts when marginalized people sit at the proverbial table. Even if someone has a seat and a voice at that table, actions are required to enact real DEI change. Learn what that means in today's episode. 

When an organization doesn't respond to DEI as you expect, believe that organization. Be literal as you notice the policies and how people move. Here's to trusting your DEI instincts as you grow in this work. 

Today's episode offers strategies to stay focused as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is being politicized. No anti-DEI law can squash and delay this work.  Listen to these encouraging words as you move on a path that ensures all environments are equitable and safe. 

As diversity, equity, and inclusion wars intensify across the U.S. and world, marginalized people have the option to remain silent or call oppression out. Today's episode shares thoughts about having the option to extend grace toward people who oppress others. 

Today's episode offers practical lessons about inclusion and what it looks like in the workplace. Pick up your notebook and learn how to remove the fear of bringing everyone and their perspective to an organization's table. 

Today's episode is an in-your-face lesson about how silence is destroying organizations and the people in it. Learn the consequences of silence and why you can't move forward if you refuse to speak up against injustices and oppression at work. 

Today I'm sharing a practice that moves people toward authentic diversity efforts. Directness is a key feature in reducing misunderstandings and ensuring that the workplace is healthy for everyone. 

Trust is expected when you work in an organization. There are times, however, when employees must rely on their instincts despite what people in the organization might say or do. Learn how employees and employers should work to foster trust at work. 

This is my real story of harassment and how it impacted me. I'm pushing my listeners to use the tools available to them when bad things happen in the workplace. It's not enough to take diversity training. When bad things happen, put your training in place to protect yourself and those around you. 

Today's episode offers solid suggestions for moving beyond performative diversity. Like football, you have to get in the game once you've trained. It's time to execute what you know so you can get DEI work done. 

Today's episode pushes against systems and offers Stop Playing Diversity reminders that will make any environment better. 

Once you say you're a DEI advocate, it's important to own your DEI brand. That means walking the walk that you talk. Today's episode presents a reflection on what this looks like as you grow in the DEI space. 

Doing diversity, equity, and inclusion work is more than having good intentions. Sometimes you need someone in your corner promoting and protecting you as you take hits that will come your way. Learn the power of these two P's as you move beyond hopes and wishes for effective DEI outcomes. 

Anyone who does DEI work is going to experience resistance. Today's episode helps you reflect on ways to move beyond the DEI pushback so you can fulfill your purpose without fear and with no regrets. 

Seven years after Dr. Cox entered her organization, she shared her workplace trauma story. This episode reveals the power of owning and sharing your story and the healing that comes with that storytelling.

Sometimes diversity is more than how we traditionally define it. This includes caregiving and working in a pandemic. Today's episode highlights ways diversity isn't so straightforward but is still needed. It's time to think out of the box. 

It's hiring season and time for organizations to recruit candidates who will bring diversity to the workplace. Dr.  Cox offers a quick reflection about signs that you might be a token hire for an organization.

Today's episode is about the basics of accompliceship. It takes courage to stand up for diversity, equity, and inclusion principles under pressure. Learn practical steps to begin this journey toward authentic diversity. 

Lessons of Dr. Monica's childhood are front and center in today's episode. She encourages listeners to return to their core as they reflect on how they want and need to be treated in the workplace. 

Many people know about the patriarchy and its impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in organizations. Today's episode discusses the toxic "Daddy Complex," which is prevalent in organizations and hinders true DEI efforts. 

Stop Playing Diversity School is in session! Today's episodes present three real-world examples of diversity do's and don'ts. Get out your pen and paper, because it's time to reflect and take notes about how to do diversity, equity, and inclusion well. 

Many people look forward to retirement after working in jobs they love. Unfortunately, many people also suffer in the workplace and can't wait to leave. Today's episode presents reasons why some people are ready to leave the workplace sooner than later and how this connects to diversity. 

This episode is about being open to diversity opportunities when they overtake you. People want what you have to offer, and it's your responsibility to sown your gifts and talents into people who want what you have to offer. Be open to new possibilities. 

This episode is your reminder that diversity, equity, and inclusion work shouldn't be delegated only to people most likely to benefit from those efforts. Even if you don't have a title, we owe it to each other to learn more about diversity and step into the unique roles each of us can play. 

Many organizations focus on the toxicity of people in an organization without realizing an organization's problems are systemic. Today's episode offers practical tips to get to those toxic roots so your organization can stop playing diversity. 

A lot of my episodes are edgy and call people and organizations out. Today I share what happened when my Stop Playing Diversity message was embraced. Let's celebrate our diversity wins together. 

Anyone who has listened to my episodes knows I am not afraid to share insights about my workplace. Today's episode explains why I go hard for workplace justice. This is not a game. It's time for organizations to walk the walk they talk. 

Every organization has prickly people. What do you do about them? How do you move forward? Today's episode offers a those about navigating the rough terrain of your workplace. 

We are all different from how we were two years ago. What lessons have we learned to make us better in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion? Let's be better together. 

Today's episode addresses how people in one situation might not be influential in another. It's important to explore how we define value as we move forward with diversity, equity, and inclusion work. 

Whether it's conscious or unconscious, many people who say they are diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) allies are profiting from oppression. Learn what this looks like and how neutrality can be toxic in DEI work. 

Today's episode addresses why someone might stay in an organization that plays diversity. Although the majority of people depart, there's value in staying, getting to the root of historical oppression, and pushing against a system that repeatedly harms members of diverse groups. 

This episode is all about lifting you up. If no one has ever thanked you for doing this work and sacrificing for diversity, equity, and inclusion, these words will acknowledge you. Thank you for all you do. Your work is not in vain. 

It takes courage to be a diversity whistleblower. For those of you called to do this work, know that what you are doing is worth it. Your efforts are not in vain.