It has been nearly a year…
I cannot believe it has been nearly a year since I started to write a blog! I re-read my first blog that outlines my purpose, my mission in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), I must admit my direction and my leadership style have certainly changed.
What have I learned? What has changed?
I used to provide advice and share DEI best practices with all leaders in the global research and advisory firm, to some extent that was impactful. As an internal advisor, I managed to influence some of the decisions of the DEI Center of Excellence made, particularly around how well employees are feeling they are heard. As a result, we conducted surveys to ensure we capture employees thoughts and feelings towards DEI and the culture of the organisation.
What are the next steps?
I started a new role a week ago at a London-based boutique consulting firm, where I am leading and building the new client success function. In my current role, I pay a lot more attention to ensure the organisation and individuals embed the DEI best practices in our strategy, plans and goals, particularly in the function I lead. Whereas in my previous roles, I only advise and influence, I play a more active role in decision-making in my current role, which certainly helps me to make a bigger impact. I am currently creating a framework that can measure how well we are doing as a function and will run workshops to understand the underlying issues, and hopefully, I can then define the gold standards we are working towards. I also planned to launch and communicate my strategy, plans and goals in the near future of Q3 2021, so that I can measure my impact better. All very exciting and I may be able to share my reflection in my next blog post.
I also keep my voluntary roles at the university alumni network and play a role in the DEI working group in a London-based Museum. I see my involvement in these voluntary roles to be one of my support mechanisms (in addition to the trio at Cambridge and the blogging exercises), to ensure I take some time out to reflect, and think about whether there are new ways to maintaining an inclusive and collaborative culture in organisations. I learned that reflecting can help me to develop and enhance my leadership and communication skills, and review my effectiveness on a regular basis. This is also an opportunity for me to take a break, ask questions to myself and my team in a positive way to understand if there are better ways to drive DEI practices forward and whether there are more efficient ways of driving such practices in the future.
I attended a kick-off session of the newly established DEI working group at the museum. It is great to see they get museum volunteers more involved in these management initiatives, as volunteers bring useful knowledge, skills and experience to the UK museum sector. I am happy that I am championing diversity, inclusion and equality, and developing and completing a DEI progression framework for the museum. Again, I may be able to share my reflection in my next blog post.
See you all later in the year at Cambridge!
