{"id":3324,"date":"2022-08-31T11:34:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-31T11:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eventible.com\/learning\/?p=3324"},"modified":"2022-08-31T11:34:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T11:34:17","slug":"speakers-corner-featuring-lea-jovy-ford-founder-ceo-diverse-leaders-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eventible.com\/learning\/speakers-corner-featuring-lea-jovy-ford-founder-ceo-diverse-leaders-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker\u2019s Corner: Featuring Lea Jovy-Ford, Founder & CEO, Diverse Leaders Group"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tell me about your company, its work, and projects\u2026<\/strong>
Born from the roots of the racism experienced from my co-founder\/CEO, the board and a number of shareholders at my and my teammate\u2019s former company, Diverse Leaders Group is a company dedicated to a different model of leadership. Our goal is to identify, develop and support people who can lead the way to equality for all through experiential education in the metaverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re building the Equaliversity – a virtual university campus in 2D and 3D – with Masters of Equality programs, our version of an MBA, for leaders or organisations in every industry. We \u2018teach\u2019 through a method of experiential learning which combines gamification and learning and practice through experiences created in a virtual environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the challenges posed by the industry you operate in?
<\/strong>DEI is a complex topic with a lofty goal! It\u2019s largely misunderstood by leadership across many industries and seen as a necessity but they don\u2019t really know why and can\u2019t always articulate this well either!
One of the biggest challenges we face is that while everyone is working towards a common goal – equity and equality – no-one has a clear or agreed idea of what that goal or vision looks like, works like, feels like and is like. How on earth can we get \u2018there\u2019 when no-one knows what or where \u2018there\u2019 actually is?
It\u2019s why part of our mission is to design and build a collaborative prototype of a world based on equality in the metaverse to start to more clearly define the end goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way you go about business? What trends do you see for the future?
<\/strong>I have been location independent and working online since 2005, before remote working was even a \u2018thing\u2019! (I founded the well-known original blog, Location Independent in 2006) so I have been a big proponent of working from anywhere for almost two decades. And yet, as we can see with the hot debate of the moment being remote work or a return to the office, it\u2019s still in its infancy for some.
I think the push to keep working remotely will also help push the drive for a greater awareness of DEI and equality as we experience yet another shift in globalisation of a different kind, as workers experience the benefits (and challenges) of it from the comforts of their own home. These impacts include:
\u25cf Competing with a far wider, global audience for roles and jobs.
\u25cf Companies requiring a more culturally global mindset and awareness as workforces diversify to blend people from different cultures.
\u25cf Greater finesse and skill in communicating online, especially in writing, as the importance of being able to influence and impact with the written word becomes a necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your biggest objective as a speaker?
<\/strong>To impact the audience to make a shift – whether that\u2019s shifting an opinion, a belief, knowledge or a mindset, I think moving someone – emotionally, mentally or pyschologically – is the measure of a good presentation\/speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could you share with us the points of discussion (the input that you provided) during the panel(s) at the Women in SaaS Summit?
<\/strong>Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sounds a little dull. It\u2019s a hot topic these days – everyone\u2019s talking about it, but very few people and companies are \u2018being\u2019 and \u2026people can\u2019t even agree on the best terms to use!
The most important question to ask (and answer) – to make DEI matter to EVERYONE is this\u2026\u201dWhat\u2019s in it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For everyone to get on board with DEI, then everyone has to understand how they\u2019ll benefit. Do you know what the biggest benefit of EQUALITY for everyone is? FREEDOM. There\u2019s a business case and a human case for DEI. The human case is the one that really matters. So how do we make equality REAL for everyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representation: What does representation really mean? It means that everyone can see themselves reflected, supported and treated equally in society and the communities to which they belong.
Equal & Equitable Environment: How safe do people feel at your company? To speak up against management? To report incidents of discrimination? To report poor performance of colleagues? To make a good suggestion? How do you design and create an equal and equitable environment? How are you doing so?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accountability: Accountability and responsibility go hand in hand. Responsibility is task-oriented – who is responsible for getting X done? Accountability is what happens after a situation has occurred, after X has been done. We need people to be accountable AND responsible to achieve equality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading to Equality: The path to equality needs brave, courageous leadership\u2026of all kinds, at all levels. It\u2019s not just top down – though this is vital. Each person, at every level, needs to lead the way to equality in all their communities, everywhere. What does that look like, in real world terms?
EVERY person on your team can – needs to – lead the way to equality\u2026Are you bored or are you on board?
As a leader, what are the factors both professional and personal that drive you? What keeps you going?
Knowing that I\u2019m working towards something that\u2019s bigger than just me – whether that\u2019s as a role model to my kids or for the impact the work I do will have on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your opinion, do digital events give you a similar level of feedback\/result vis-\u00e0-vis the live versions? What would you say were the biggest pros and cons of both formats? Which do you prefer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an introvert, I prefer digital events. What\u2019s not to love about being able to talk to hundreds or thousands of people from the comfort of your own home?! However, I believe digital events can\u2019t ever replicate the hidden value of attending live events which are the moments in between – the coffee grabs, the accidental chance meets, the after-speech drinks. In my experience, this is where real connections are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your take on in-person events? Do you prefer in-person events as compared to hybrid or virtual? How soon do you think in-person events would return?
<\/strong>I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos this year; it was great to be back meeting people in person and there\u2019s significant value to be gained from this. I think a hybrid version would be great – host your speech from the comfort of a private room if you prefer, do the social meets when you choose!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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