Stop Blaming Avocados

Diversity and Success: Your Difference is Your Power

• Chava Vietze • Season 1 • Episode 19

Share episode

Humans want to fit in. We want to be included. Perhaps it is human nature, the need to be a part of the group. And when it comes to success, assimilating yourself has often been a part of survival. However, navigating the world looks different for marginalized groups.  Homogenous groups are continuously trying to show why they are different, to stand out from the group... while marginalized groups are trying to find ways that they can fit in.

Though, we are also told to bring our authentic selves to work, to "just be you". But for those who are from marginalized groups, whether you are a person of color, a woman, LGBTQIA+, an immigrant, a disabled person, or any combination, bringing your "authentic self" to work hasn't always been met with open arms.

'Yes, we want you to bring your authentic self to work! Oh, but not like that. That's too much.'

How many folks have experienced this?

In this episode, Darren Isom and Chava Vietze break down these narratives and discuss the power and beauty of diversity. It is our future and we need to embrace our difference, be proud of it, and understand that our difference is pivotal to our success.

There are several key takeaways here, but if we have to highlight just one:

Find environments that value your unique difference and see how your difference not only adds value but is pivotal to your community's and organization's success.

About the guest: Darren Isom is a Partner at The Bridgespan Group in San Francisco where he advises mission driven organizations and philanthropic foundations in support of equity and justice and supports the firm's work with arts and cultural organizations. He co-leads the firm's commitment to advance racial equity and is  the host of the podcast Dreaming in Color, creating new narratives in leadership, which offers leaders of color space to share how they have leveraged their unique assets and abilities to embrace excellence, drive impact, and more fully define what success looks like. 

Books, movies, and podcasts referenced in this episode: 

Follow us at @stopblamingavocados on Instagram.