March Newsletter
Empathy, inclusive workplaces and diversity
Welcome to the March PFP Newsletter. We are continuing into our 2nd month of 3, with the themes focusing on underrepresented communities and our organizational focus on increasing empathy, inclusive workplaces and workplace diversity through EQ.
In February (summary below) we focused on Black and African American Communities with our book club meeting to discuss Emmanuel Acho’s “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man.” As a white male, this was such a powerful discussion and I am so proud of what Jeff and the team delivered. Thank YOU to our room discussion leaders who volunteered for the event, you made it possible!
In March as part of Women’s History Month, we are focusing on females in the workplace. We are excited for our book club members as we will be meeting to discuss “You’re Not Lost” and will be joined live by the Author, Maxie McCoy for a Q&A session. Be sure to tune in tonight, March 8th at 8pm ET, even if you have yet to open the book. It will be a unique opportunity to hear directly from the author on her inspirations, vision and WHY behind creating a powerful workbook and inspirational guide for any of us (women especially) who feel “lost” in their career and life journey. Make sure to grab your free spot to the book club HERE if you have not already.
We have many exciting announcements in the coming weeks: volunteer program launch, the return of in person networking events, virtual event schedule, new PFP Podcast season launching, formal mentorship program launching and much more. Stay tuned
Mentorship Program Kick Off-
Recently Candice Heidebrecht joined the PFP Leadership team. Candice has over a decade of experience in corporate coaching and enablement, and over a year ago started her own EQ skills development business, Cultivate Empathy to empower people to create inclusive cultures…. ROCKSTAR!
With Candice on the team, we have the support we need to formally and properly release our PFP Mentorship program and I couldn’t be more excited!
The PFP Mentorship Program is an accountability program for those that want to move from loose EQ development, to a highly intentional effort around improving their EQ.
Steps to be a Mentee
The only cost you are responsible for is the cost to purchase Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves; the mentorship program is free for PFP Members.
Step 1- Purchase Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Step 2- before you read the book, complete your online test included with your purchase using the access code at the back of your book (5-10 minute test)
Step 3- fill out the membership form on peoplefirstprofessionals.org, which includes submission of your test scores. Mentorship request form here
Step 4- Get paired with a mentor based on your EQ scores
Step 5- Meet monthly with your Mentor and use the book for reference. Over the course of four months, your mentor will give you guidance and assign small but significant steps to help you develop your EQ skills.
That’s it! The sessions are low weight and designed to discuss current areas of focus, struggles, success and course correct to maximize your results.
Because this is a free service and we are looking to take feedback before going to scale, we are looking for a group of 10 Mentees, first come first serve. This group will be the first formal class of mentees in our program and likely some will end up as future mentors for others (or at least we hope so).
It's proven that accountability and mentorship are critical to maximizing one’s EQ growth, so we are excited to make this formally available to our members and associates. Excited for those that want to take their EQ to the next level. Come join us!
Book Club Update and Recap
The PFP Betterment Book Club met again on February 8th for a powerful discussion of Emmanuel Acho’s Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. Acho’s work provided a tremendous framework for small group discussions, which were facilitated by Black PFP members and supported by Allies. The breakout rooms created safe spaces for discussion of topics like implicit bias, institutional racism, white privilege, and allyship. A special thank you to our discussion leaders: Marcus Johnson, Travis Cox, Ben Amaefule, Chris Amaefule, and Chris Sam.
The PFP leadership team is immensely appreciative of everyone who participated in such an important discussion during Black History Month. Uncomfortable Conversations was the first in a three-part series of discussions about diversity and inclusion. As PFP seeks to influence the next generation of high-EQ leaders, appreciating diversity and celebrating inclusion and belonging is critical to making our work lives and personal lives better for everyone.
Looking ahead to March, Betterment’s focus will shift to a celebration of women! And this one is not to be missed! For the first time, Betterment will host the author of the book. That’s right; on March 8th, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Maxie McCoy will be joining us to discuss her tactic-filled guidebook You’re Not Lost: An Inspired Action Plan for Finding Your Own Way.
Maxie is an inspiring, powerful female author and speaker who has dedicated her life to arming women with the tools they need to believe in themselves and maximize their potential impacts. Maxie is also a powerhouse personality, and she is excited to meet the Betterment members, and share her own story as well as facilitate discussion and answer questions about You’re Not Lost. Please join us March 8th to speak with Maxie. We promise you will leave refreshed, energized, and inspired to take control of all aspects of your life.
Around the Web
Challenge - Take Steps Toward Allyship
Finally, we want to challenge our readers and members to take steps toward allyship, even if you are part of an underrepresented community or workforce.
There are countless ways and resources out there, but we chose one from Harvard Business Review along with a fantastic list of resources the PFP leadership team has curated over the past year to give you a starting place. The Resource Library contains articles, books, and helpful links to further your understanding of viewpoints of those directly and indirectly affected.
PFP Social Injustice Resource Library
Educate yourself (resources provided earlier in the newsletter are a great place to start but in general go seek out information and conversations!)
Own your privilege
Accept Feedback
Become a confidant
Bring diversity to the table
See Something, Say Something
Sponsor marginalized workers/individuals
Insist on diverse candidates
Build a community of allies
What HBR lays out is a maturing scale of “allyship” culminating in growing allyship. I understand many of us are not in a place to bring other allies to the table. But it’s about taking A step, An action toward allyship.
Start by educating yourself with some of the resources provided and then go have a conversation(s) with someone you know and trust from a marginalized group. Let them know as part of your communication, your desire to grow as an ally and then go chat it up!
Think intentionally about ways you can help your current employer and culture; call lack of diversity out where it exists, offer ways to help, yourself bring diverse candidates to the table, sponsor/mentor current employees from these communities, etc
There are countless statistics that prove diverse teams and companies are happier and perform better than their low-diversity counterparts. No excuses: “It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s good for business.”
We challenge you to be the change you want to see in the world and being an ally is a huge step in the right direction!
