Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Lessons from Jeff Waldman

In this episode, Lindsay Clayborne welcomes Jeff Waldman, founder of ScaleHR and SocialHRCamp. They discuss the changing role of HR in today's world and the need for HR leaders to tap into new ways of thinking and leading. They also explore the concept of upskilling and its importance for organizations and HR leaders.

Jeff emphasizes the need for HR leaders to be strong business people and to understand the core objectives of their companies. He also highlights the importance of investing in skills development and ensuring that new skills are adopted into practice. The conversation then shifts to the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the need for organizations to go beyond just talking about diversity and actually practice inclusion.

Jeff shares an example of a company that embeds DEI practices into its culture and encourages open dialogue and learning. They also touch on the role of technology in HR and how it is transforming various aspects of HR, such as collaboration, AI-powered tools, and employer branding. Jeff emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tools that align with the organization's goals and values.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of information overload and the need for HR leaders to focus on their own context and business requirements rather than getting overwhelmed by external sources of information. Jeff advises HR leaders to choose their sources wisely and keep things simple. In this podcast conversation, Jeff discusses the most impactful piece of feedback he has ever received.

He explains that early in his career, he was often the loudest person in the room due to his enthusiasm for his work.

However, he received feedback that he needed to listen more and not come off as cocky or arrogant. This feedback was important to him because it was not a trait he wanted to be associated with. Jeff learned to listen, ask questions, and take a step back, which changed how he was perceived. The conversation then moves on to discussing the balance between failures and successes in Jeff's journey.

He admits that a large portion of his journey is made up of failure, but he has learned that failure is okay as long as he doesn't keep failing on the same thing. Taking risks and trying new things has shaped him into who he is today, and he is grateful for the lessons learned from failures.

The conversation concludes by highlighting the importance of being open to failure and being willing to adapt and change course when necessary. This mindset is applicable to both owning a company and working for one.

Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of feedback, the importance of listening, and the value of learning from failures.