Can it be another way?

This has been my most thought-provoking question of the year, and it has yielded interesting answers. It’s so easy to get trapped in your own corner of the world, in the way you see things, and sometimes that can be unbelievably limiting. This thought is key to my podcast conversation around diversity, inclusion and equality.

Leveraging diversity is a critical key to building a strong personal brand and business today. Every member of a team brings uniqueness in some form or another. How are you harnessing and leveraging difference, and overcoming unconscious bias (we all have it)?

In this Win @ Work and Life podcast episode, I chat to Dharshni Padaychee, Transformation, Inclusion and Equality Lead at Rand Merchant Bank. I have worked with Dharshni and her team for a number of years and I always keep a look out for her posts on LinkedIn, which showcase so much innovation in the diversity, inclusion and equality space. You will hear from the conversation how passionate Dharshni is about her field, and why she chose to shift her focus from accountancy to people.

The conversation covers:

  • What does inclusivity really look like, and what it is not.
  • How to make Diversity, Inclusion & Equality more than just a box-ticking exercise.
  • Dealing with unconscious bias.
  • Creative initiatives in the Diversity, Inclusion & Equality space.
  • How hybrid working has added to the narrative of Diversity, Inclusion & Equality.
  • Maternity and paternity transition coaching – how this has enabled support and retention of talent.
  • Advice for other companies looking to raise their profile in the Diversity, Inclusion & Equality space.

“When we are younger, we are told that we can be anything that we want to be. But, as we start adulting, we realise that we are put into boxes and we don’t always get to be what we want to be, depending on those boxes.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

“Race, gender, etc are all social constructs. And each one of them comes with some level of oppression or some level of privilege.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

“When I hear your story, I see the human being.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

“Diversity, equity and inclusion is a human conversation, not a box-ticking exercise. It’s about relationships and it’s about people.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

“When I walk through the doors here, I must feel that I belong. You know, our legislation in South Africa has the best of intent, but it also makes it very compliance driven. Diversity, equity and inclusion is sometimes a little like box-ticking but, at the end of the day for me, this is a conversation about human beings – it is a human conversation. It’s about relationships and it’s about people.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

 “If you have a boardroom of people that look different, but they aren’t allowed to speak up, we aren’t using the benefit of that diversity.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank

“Unconscious bias is a great way to enter the conversation, but it’s just an entry point. Once I am aware of my biases, what do I do with them? That’s what counts.”

Dharshni Padaychee, Rand Merchant Bank