Ray Arata
Personal Stories: The Path of Perseverance

Myra Nawabi, a female refugee from a royal family in Afghanistan shares her story of fleeing her country to America as a young child in search of a brighter, bigger future only to find herself quitting on her dream of becoming an astronaut due to negative influences and sexist comments before eventually creating a successful career at Lockheed Martin Space Systems where she is now Senior Project Engineer & Program Manager for Advanced Technology Center.  She is also Founder of the largest and most active LeanIn Circle in the US (Palo Alto).  She credits much of her success due to her experience with a male ally or mentor.

Personal Stories: The Path of Perseverance
Ray Arata
Personal Stories: Hearing Impairment, ...

In Pt. 3 of Personal Stories of Inequity, the panel continues as Joe Vasquez, Co-Director at Runway Incubator shares his stories and lessons of struggle with microaggressions as a hearing impaired Latino in the mainstream and corporate world.  He discusses the importance of the variety of accessible gateways of expression, including art, and how they allowed him to fully reveal his perspectives to others. Through his experiences, Joe has developed a passion for helping entrepreneurs and corporations to innovate more support, love, and value in the workplace.  Despite his hearing impairment, Joe has also learned how to be a male ally.

Personal Stories: Hearing Impairment, Microagressions and More
Ray Arata
Personal Stories: Feelings, Safety and Covering

Today in Personal Stories: Feelings, Safety and Covering, Noni Allwood, a Latin corporate executive specializing in optimization strategies for diverse talent and strategic business operations shares that she was "covering" or concealing who she was due to fear of not being accepted when she started her career here in the states.  She then goes on to tell an inspiring story of an ally who supported her in advancing her career. 

Personal Stories: Feelings, Safety and Covering
Ray Arata
Personal Stories: Awareness and Intersectional ...

The #MeToo movement and stories has inspired people to share stories of and has brought new awareness to just how rampant sexual assault is.  Research shows that hearing how someone is impacted by sensitive issues or something we aren’t aware of or understand is powerful in helping those seemingly unaffected or those who aren’t aware of the issues at hand become aware, compassionate, empathetic and/or use their privilege to help make positive change.  It is in this spirit that we invited 4 individuals to share their stories of inequity and/or lack of inclusion at the Better Man Conference last month.

Personal Stories: Awareness and Intersectional Perspectives
Ray Arata
Advancing Women Of Color: Can You Do More?

In Advancing Women Of Color, Can You Do More?  Rayona Sharpnack, Founder of The Institute For Women's Leadership indicates that for women of color it is "10 x harder" to advance in the corporate world than it is for white women.  33% of the officers at Genentech are women. Julius Prior, Head of Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion at Genentech addresses a number of topics in relation to advancing women of color including what the benefits of advancing women of color are, plans for advancing women of color, and what challenges they or other companies might face in advancing women of color.  As you watch the video or read the transcript below, we invite you to consider if you or your company should be doing more to help advance women of color.

Advancing Women Of Color: Can You Do More?

Problem, Opportunities And Solutions For Gender Equality In Corporate Culture

Problem, Opportunities And Solutions For Gender Equality In Corporate Culture

In this talk, Dale Thomas Vaughn, Co Founder of Gender Leadership Group covers the problem, the opportunities, and the solutions he sees in the corporate culture as related to gender equality and partnership.  He shares interesting statistics, that even men are uncomfortable with existing masculinity in the corporate culture, what gender equality has in it for men, his experience and fresh perspectives as a millennial male ally.

Jan Hutchins welcomes Dale to the stage at the Better Man Conference 2017 for his talk entitled Systemic Solutions for Corporate Culture Change.

Pt. 2 Conquering Blame, Valuing Differences as an Inclusionary Leader

Pt. 2 Conquering Blame, Valuing Differences as an Inclusionary Leader

On last week's blog we shared a talk on Conquering Blame by Ed Gurowitz, Co Founder of the Gender Leadership Group.  He discussed the victim-persecutor-rescuer dynamic and how it does not allow for inclusion or appreciation of differences.  This week, we continue the series by sharing alternatives actions in support of inclusionary leadership.

Conquering Blame, Valuing Differences plus Personal Stories of Inequity Concludes

Conquering Blame, Valuing Differences plus Personal Stories of Inequity Concludes

"We are hardwired as human beings to be victims because we are hardwired to scan our environment for threats, for something that’s going to happen to us.  If you look at it in terms of inclusion, inclusionary leadership requires a relationship that allows for inclusion, and that allows for appreciation of differences.  The Karpman Triangle does not allow for inclusion or appreciation of differences, because here differences are simply proof that there is something wrong."  Ed Gurowitz, Co Founder of the Gender Leadership Group 

Today we share a talk by Ed entitled, Conquering Blame which took place at the Better Man Conference 2017.  He discusses the victim-persecutor-rescuer dynamic and the alternative in support of inclusionary leadership.

From "I Quit" To Success In Pt. 4 Of Personal Stories Of Inequity

From "I Quit" To Success In Pt. 4 Of Personal Stories Of Inequity

Myra Nawabi, a female refugee from a royal family in Afghanistan shares her story of fleeing her country to America as a young child in search of a brighter, bigger future only to find herself quitting on her dream of becoming an astronaut due to negative influences and sexist comments before eventually creating a successful career at Lockheed Martin Space Systems where she is now Senior Project Engineer & Program Manager for Advanced Technology Center.  She is also Founder of the largest and most active LeanIn Circle in the US (Palo Alto).  She credits much of her success due to her experience with a male ally or mentor.

Being Hearing Impaired, Microagressions and more In Pt. 3 of Personal Stories of Inequity

Being Hearing Impaired, Microagressions and more In Pt. 3 of Personal Stories of Inequity


In Pt. 3 of Personal Stories of Inequity, the panel continues as Joe Vasquez, Co-Director at Runway Incubator shares his stories and lessons of struggle with microaggressions as a hearing impaired Latino in the mainstream and corporate world.  He discusses the importance of the variety of accessible gateways of expression, including art, and how they allowed him to fully reveal his perspectives to others. Through his experiences, Joe has developed a passion for helping entrepreneurs and corporations to innovate more support, love, and value in the workplace.  Despite his hearing impairment, Joe has also learned how to be a male ally.

From "Covering" to Feeling "Safe" in Pt 2. Personal Stories of Inequity

From "Covering" to Feeling "Safe" in Pt 2. Personal Stories of Inequity

In Pt. 2 of Personal Stories of Inequity, Noni Allwood, a Latin corporate executive specializing in optimization strategies for diverse talent and strategic business operations shares that she was "covering" or concealing who she was due to fear of not being accepted when she started her career here in the states.  She then goes on to tell an inspiring story of an ally who supported her in advancing her career. 

Personal Stories of Inequity

Personal Stories of Inequity

The #MeToo movement and stories has inspired people to share stories of and has brought new awareness to just how rampant sexual assault is.  Research shows that hearing how someone is impacted by sensitive issues or something we aren’t aware of or understand is powerful in helping those seemingly unaffected or those who aren’t aware of the issues at hand become aware, compassionate, empathetic and/or use their privilege to help make positive change.  It is in this spirit that we invited 4 individuals to share their stories of inequity and/or lack of inclusion at the Better Man Conference last month.

Pt. 2 - 4 Important Key Themes To Inclusionary Leadership

Pt. 2 - 4 Important Key Themes To Inclusionary Leadership

Last week we began sharing 4 important key themes to inclusionary leadership as described by Ray Arata, the founder of the Better Man Conference , co-founder of the Gender Leadership Group, and the author of Wake Up, Man Up, Step Up. 

Theme 1 is, "We can choose possibility over pain" and Theme 2 is, "Partnership of the head and heart, in order to make what is possible, real."  This week he shares both Theme 3  and Theme 4.

A Safe Space For Every Man: Vulnerability, Masculinity, And Modeling Allyship

A Safe Space For Every Man: Vulnerability, Masculinity, And Modeling Allyship

200+ leaders and many great diverse speakers and panelists, both men and women came together to be a part of the movement to engage men as inclusionary leaders at the Better Man Conference 2017 recently.

The Better Man Conference is a safe place for male leaders to enter into the inclusion conversation.

One of our popular guest speakers was Jennifer Brown diversity and inclusion expert, speaker, and author of Diversity, The New Workplace and The Will To Change.  She says the following in her recent newsletter when reflecting on the conference:

Jennifer Brown:

To stand on that stage and look out at hundreds of men, willing to learn from one another—men who were challenged, during the course of the conference, to model the value they place on inclusion in public, and make it safe for others to do the same—was a powerful experience.

As a woman and keynote speaker, I realized I had a certain role to play, as teacher, supporter, witness, and mentor.

Vulnerability at Home, Work and More

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Vulnerability At Home, Work and More

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Even at the top of our game, we men find ourselves wanting more from life. 

This week we are sharing a podcast that covers vulnerability at home, work and more. It's entitled,  "How Gender Equality Benefits You and Makes You Happier" and it features Ray Arata, Co-Founder of Gender Leadership Group & Founder of the Better Man Conference interviewed by Shana James, Founder of Man Alive. 

Here's a larger list of what the podcast covers:

  • How to grow and evolve into the man you want to be, without being driven by other's expectations or shame.
  • What you stand to gain from gender inclusion and supporting women in your life.
  • How to handle vulnerability, even in a corporate context.
  • The benefits of starting to live and lead with your heart open.
  • One surprising thing you can do that leads to other men trusting you more.

Contact [email protected] to learn about GENDER PARTNERSHIP training, COACHING or CONSULTING for your organization.

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On behalf of Gender Leadership Group, the Better Man Conference, and all of our team members, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts to all of our attendees, speakers, sponsors, marketing partners, and supporters for being such an important part of the men's inclusionary leadership movement.

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THANK YOU to 2017 BETTER MAN CONFERENCE SPONSORS

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THANK YOU to 2017 BETTER MAN CONFERENCE MARKETING PARTNERS

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CONTACT [email protected] TO EXPLORE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE  2018 BETTER MAN CONFERENCE

Advancing Women Of Color, Should You Be Doing More?

Advancing Women Of Color, Should You Be Doing More?

This Tuesday we will do a live Better Man Chat on Twitter entitled, Allies To People Of Color.  Join us on Twitter at #BetterManChat   Meantime, In Walking The Talk Pt. 3, Advancing Women Of Color, Should You Be Doing More? Rayona Sharpnack, Founder of The Institute For Women's Leadership indicates that for women of color it is "10 x harder" to advance in the corporate world than it is for white women.  33% of the officers at Genentech are women. Julius Prior, Head of Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion at Genentech addresses a number of topics in relation to advancing women of color including what the benefits of advancing women of color are, plans for advancing women of color, and what challenges they or other companies might face in advancing women of color.  As you watch the video or read the transcript below, we invite you to consider if you or your company should be doing more to help advance women of color.

Gender Equality, Are You Asking The Right Questions?

Gender Equality, Are You Asking The Right Questions?

In this video, Bill Ingham, Vice President of Global Human Resources at Visa indicates that connecting to executive leadership and enrolling "lighthouses" in the organization is key to developing a successful ally program.

Julius Pryor III, Head of Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion at Genentech adds that often there are women or people of color that are ready to move in to  positions of responsibility yet barriers are put in their way.  He asks (paraphrase),  What is it about the organization 

The "Real" Scoop On Inclusivity; We All Want The Same Thing.

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UPCOMING TOPICS:

  • 8/22/2017 INTERSECTIONALITY

  • 8/29/2017 MEN AS GENDER ALLIES IN THE WORKPLACE

Gender Leadership Group Blog:

The "Real" Scoop On Inclusivity;

We All Want The Same Thing.

We are all human- and that is the invitation and reminder of this touching video on Inclusivity.  

While the pressure to be super human and not talk about how we feel lingers, my invitation is to let that go and to come from our hearts so we can create a true sense of belonging for ourselves and those around us.

We may look different on the outside yet inside we have one major thing in common; our hearts and the capacity to come from the heart.

Being human means we make mistakes and others may experience the impact of them.

Being human means we can forgive and take accountability.

Being human means we all want the SAME THING; to be seen, heard, valued, and respected for who we are.

At the Better Man Conference in September, we will be hearing from  a variety of people that represent marginalized groups and their stories . Th invitation is for anyone who seeks to be an ally, to listen from the heart and step into heart based allyship.

 

DESIRE TO READ MORE?  CHECK OUT THE INCLUSIONARY LEADERSHIP BLOG HERE.

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Visit www.GenderLeadershipGroup.com to learn about GENDER PARTNERSHIP training, COACHING or CONSULTING for your organization.

Gender Over Race More Adverse Impact On My Life, Hall of Famer

Gender Over Race More Adverse Impact On My Life, Hall of Famer

The real opportunity is for these leaders to embrace the healthy masculinity which subscribes to  emotional literacy, accountability, and the heart centered leadership paradigm.

It's time for these men to throw away what it means to be a "real man" and step on the path of becoming a better man for themselves , their companies, their relationships and their communities.

It is these concepts and more that more than 200 men will step into at the Better Man Conference in San Francisco in September of 2017.  Women are invited as well as there are benefits for their attendance too.