Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita

As we continue our Real Conversation from the C-suite with Kelli Kirkland, she reminds us that without having the courage to self-reflect and have honest conversations WITH ourselves, it’s impossible to pursue honest living FOR ourselves and WITH others. I can’t wait for you to hear Kelli’s analogy about breaking in new shoes and getting comfortable with diversity conversations.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

Today, in our Real Conversations from the C-suite with Kelli Kirkland, we acknowledge that conversations with ourselves, especially during the process of having our awareness raised about unconscious biases we may hold, can be difficult. Most importantly we talked about how much courage it takes to overcome the fear of being real with ourselves. Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

This month, I’m having a Real Conversation from the C-suite with Ms. Kelli Kirkland, founder, and CEO of Genius Kids Club. We’re going to kick off the conversation by hearing Kelli’s stories about the microaggressions she and her son have endured. First, when she established her business and then when her son’s genius IQ was questioned at a school for other children with genius IQs. The scariness of these conversations speaks to how people have been conditioned to think about Kelli and her son.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

Welcome to October which means settling into fall, enjoying everything flavored with pumpkin spice, and perhaps sightings of the Great Pumpkin on October 31st that may make Halloween a little less scary. Oftentimes, what we have been conditioned to think of as scary about other people is predicated on one intense encounter. What have you been conditioned to be terrified about concerning other people up until now? What tall tales have you come to associate with other people that simply are not true? Depending upon how we’ve been conditioned to make assumptions about other people, it may take us a while to recognize our intellectual arrogance, which is simply believing that what we THINK we know about other people is right. And that can be a scary discovery! This month, we’ll work through that together with my guest Kelli Kirkland. Stay tuned!Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

To conclude this month’s Real Conversation from the C-Suite, Monica Pleasant will talk about the growth mindset that people leaders must cultivate to foster a sense of belonging that isn’t forced but is a result of inclusive leadership. That means finding, or better yet CREATING, opportunities to amplify the voice of a colleague around the table in a meeting at work, or in the streets at a march. When employees experience a sense of belonging, employee engagement is limitless. Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

In Monica’s work leading the Belonging Project at Medtronic, she will share with us the concept of an Inclusive Meeting Toolkit which is certainly new (N-E-W) knowledge you’ll enjoy hearing about. Then, she’ll talk about Medtronic’s Belonging Video Series that will reframe knew (K-N-E-W) knowledge about what belonging looks, acts, feels, and sounds like from the perspective of diverse employees at Medtronic. We have all experienced being part of an out-group and NOT feeling a sense of belonging. And, we have all experienced being part of an in-group and absolutely feeling a sense of belonging. Either of those experiences has been known to all of us and reframing how to foster a sense of belonging for everyone sometimes is reached by remembering what it felt like NOT to belong, so we avoid contributing to that feeling for others.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

This month, I’m having a Real Conversation from the C-Suite with Ms. Monica Pleasant, HR Director at Medtronic. She is also the President of the Orange County National Human Resources Association, and a member of the LA & Orange County NHRA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion council. Today, we’re focusing on Monica’s work in leading the Belonging Project at Medtronic.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

Monday is Labor Day and I wanted to think about labor in terms of the labor of love that is also known as fostering Belonging. When we think of creating employee experiences during these final days of summer, let’s gather our teams, practice the fundamentals of human-affirming behaviors, and cheer on our teammates by amplifying their voices. Then, let’s load up the bases, swing for the fences, and hit a home run in the belonging ballpark!Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

If you are a woman of color, or if you support a woman of color, join Dr. Anita and get the 411 about the N-Formation community co-founded by Ms. Deepa Purushothaman which provides a safe space for C-Suite women of color that integrates the power of me and the power of we.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

When Dr. Anita talks about her role as a C-Suite trusted advisor, her goal is to help executives reframe diversity conversations from difficult to different. Simply put, it means being open to different lived experiences without feeling threatened about one’s own lived experience. Listen in as Dr. Anita and her guest Ms. Deepa Purushothaman explore three big ideas from her new book The First, The Few, The Only available on Amazon and all major retailers.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

An oxymoron is described as a figure of speech that juxtaposes concepts with opposing meanings within a word or phrase that creates a self-contradiction. (Think: “jumbo-shrimp”) Join the conversation as Dr. Anita and her guest Ms. Deepa Purushothaman unpack a common phenomenon experienced by many women of color in the C-Suite.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

This month we continue our journey of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Join me and guest Ms. Deepa Purushothaman in what may be one of my most personally insightful and revealing broadcasts yet!Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

While CEOs obviously have deep knowledge in their field of expertise, we may not realize that, especially in the C-suite, work gets done through relationships. It might surprise you that C-suite peer groups spend a lot more time discussing their personal perspectives than their professional perspectives. In this Real Conversation from the C-suite, we’ll be exploring how important it is for executives to engage in discussions about Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging from a personal perspective as well.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

Even if you don’t follow college basketball, you are surely aware that it’s March Madness. This is the time when “fans in the stands” try to predict the winners of each bracket and college teams battle it out. Officiating is critical and perspective is everything. This month, we’re going to make linkages between diverse strengths on teams, making the distinction between flops, fouls, and subtle acts of exclusion, and how the perspectives of leaders and interactions among team members translate to the workplace.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

One of Dr. Anita’s favorite quotes is by Andy Stanley: “Leadership is all about taking people on a journey. The challenges is that most of the time, we are asking people to follow us to places we ourselves have never been.” The heart of today’s Real Conversation from the C-suite is to explore how leaders are meeting the challenge of being intentional about understanding Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging from a personal perspective.Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

We often talk about the power of peer mentoring and peer coaching, but it’s more than just a notion. It’s a powerful process for reflection and growth. At each level of the organizational system-of-systems, critical insights can be shared simply by having a conversation. Especially for members of the C-suite, the power of peers can be most effective for exploring different conversations like Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. This is our first Real Conversation from the C-suite.LinksWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-ipec-cpc-77695b/

Thanks for joining Dr. Anita for her first series of Real Conversations from the C-suite with her first guest @Leo Bottary. This is just a sample of what’s to come. Please plan to listen in for the next conversation!Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

One of Dr. Anita’s favorite leadership quotes comes from Andy Stanley. It challenges leaders to pause and reflect on whether or not they are asking their teams to follow them on a journey they haven’t taken themselves. As a leader, how consistently are you walking the talk of Belonging based on what you have personally discovered about the lived experiences of other people? If you haven’t taken that first step, how can you lead others down the path?Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

Previously, Dr. Anita mentioned a new offering she’s calling, Real Conversations From the C-Suite, which provides a platform for executives to practice leading by unpacking. Executives are sometimes viewed as not doing enough to foster inclusive leadership traits that cultivate a sense of Belonging across the organizational system of systems. These conversations provide an opportunity for the rest of us to gain insights from the perspective of executive leaders.

Recently, Dr. Anita had the pleasure of addressing a group of 120 CEOs at the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) conference in Dallas, Texas. YPO’s Mission is “Better Leaders through Lifelong Learning and Idea Exchange,” and she left with several key takeaways to share with you.

Leading by unpacking is all about the process of intentionally unpacking outdated ways of showing up with people that simply are no longer befitting of the person we strive to be today. #DiversityInclusionBelonging #Csuite #LifeLongLearner #Leadership #DoctorAnita #KeepingItReal

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is “What final thoughts would you like to leave with us?". Join me as we journey through these questions together! Join me!https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is When an organization considers its why for DIB, What do you suggest the executive leadership team thinks about too? Join me as we journey through these questions together!

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is What are 3 practices of practices communities that you discovered in your research & how are they relevant today for cultivating thriving corporate culture specific for belonging. Join me as we journey through these questions together! Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is Why is emphasis on belonging & Inclusion the top priority for you as a leader? Join me as we journey through these questions together! Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is: Determine what DIB is and isn't for you?. Join me as we journey through these questions together! Visit here for more https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is: What is your approach to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging? Join me as we journey through these questions together!

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is "Why have you chosen to first focus on the C-suite in an organization?" Join me as we journey through these questions together! For more visit here!https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

The Behind the Mic Series are short episodes answering questions that have been asked by you, the audience. This week's question is “Who is Dr. Anita?”. Join me as we journey through these questions together!LinksWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-ipec-cpc-77695b/

Producing a podcast is more than just having a series of conversations. It’s fun, but it’s work. And lately, I’m reflecting on the purpose of my podcast. For April and May, while I am taking a short creative hiatus, I’m going to release a series of questions and answers about my purpose as a consultant in the Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging space, of which my podcast is intended to be an extension. Those messages will “drip” every Saturday on LinkedIn until June. I’m not sure what my podcast format will look like when I return. But, it will be a new season in more ways than one.

Our guest Mr. Otis Boyles talks about the importance of perspective, mentoring, staying true to oneself, and the benefit of giving back to others in ways that feeds the soul of a leader on the basketball court, in the workplace, and in life.Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Today Dr. Anita is talking with Orange County basketball official Moe Orr to hear his perspective on fans in the stands and what has helped him to stand firm in the calls he makes on the court and in life as a man of color in the basketball area, as well as sharing the mission for his podcast, The High School Narrative.Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

This conversation is going to focus on how bringing a micro aggression to the attention of others can sometimes be met with indifference that is just as hurtful as the microaggression itself.Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Even if you don’t follow college basketball, you are surely aware that it’s March Madness. This is the time when “fans in the stands” try to predict the winners of each bracket and college teams battle it out. Officiating is critical and perspective is everything. This month, we’re going to make linkages between diverse strengths on teams, making the distinction between flops, fouls, and subtle acts of exclusion, and how the perspectives of leaders and interactions among team members translate to the workplace.Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Love is absolutely essential to effective leadership. That, and being mindful of the fact that leadership is a spiritual activity from the standpoint that we can either lift or crush the spirit of those we lead. Listen in to the connections between loving and leading people with leadership expert Michelle Beauchamp of The Champ Group.Linkshttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Part of loving leaders as an effective leader actually begins with self-knowledge. We can read all the leadership books in the world and follow the latest 5-step plan, but unless you know Y.O.U. it will be tough to get any trac-tion (you'll get that later in the episode). Join me as I talk with track coach and mentor to student athletes, MIckey Miela.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

As a leader, sometimes we misinterpret leaving a legacy as meaning having something named after us. That is not a bad thing in and of itself. But how about prioritizing leaving a living legacy through the people we lead. Join the Allies in Action Crew in sharing stories about the leaders who loved them and shaped them into the leaders they have become.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/

Finding out a few interesting tidbits about Valentine’s Day was a labor of love from me to all of you because it took a little digging. And some of what I found out about Valentine’s Day wasn’t so lovely. As we celebrate love with tokens of affection this month, my gift to you is encouraging self-care and offering a FREE tool to help you in the process!Visit us hereWeb - https://www.doctoranita.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTube

“We’ve all attended a ‘lunch & learn’, but when was the last time you attended a ‘laugh & learn’? Join Dr. Anita and George Thompson as they talk about setting intentions toward wealth building from a variety of practical perspectives. Talking finances has never been more funny and factual!Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/

For my Lived Experiences segment, we’ll be talking with my dear friend Stuart Newton to hear his perspective about the article, “10 Secrets of People Who Keep their Resolutions” and see how much of his secret sauce for success he’s willing to share with us. An easy strategy everyone can implement is deciding what small steps to take in terms of what to stop, start, do more of or do less of toward goal attainment that aligns with intention.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/

To help brainstorm your intentions for 2022, spend time with me and my Allies in Action crew to see what everyone is focusing on that might inspire your journey.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/

While the practice of declaring a new year’s resolution is a noble one, mindfulness and being intentional about taking action are critical first steps toward the development and attainment of realistic goals.10 Secrets of People Who Keep Their New Year’s Resolutions - https://www.uabmedicine.org/-/10-secrets-of-people-who-keep-their-new-year-s-resolutions

Health and wellness lifestyle guru Lisa Holmes joins us to talk about the difference between anticipating your best life one day and living your FULLEST live now which includes tips on how to have a stress-less new year.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/

Our guest, Anthony V. as I like to call him, is a curator of cool characters. He is intentional about creating opportunities for meaningful meet ups because he sees people as gifts.For more visit here!https://www.doctoranita.com/

Today Dr. Anita and her Allies in Action Crew will be sharing their greatest gifts of 2021. For more visit here!https://www.doctoranita.com/

With the holidays fast approaching, our focus for this month will be the gift of presence. Not presents that we exchange during the holidays. But the presence of ourselves. And when I thought about the gift of our presence, there were striking similarities with presents we exchange. For example, oftentimes we make assumptions about the gift depending upon the packaging.Visit herehttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Today we're talking with Dr. Deena Brown, International influencer, women's empowerment expert, speaker, author and coach about her upcoming project, Melanin Toks. It's going to be epic!Visit herehttps://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

Today we're talking with Ms. Stephanie Carter, a children’s book author with a background in Civil Engineering. Her book, “To Love Me is to Love the Skin I’m In” has the potential to be life changing. Not only for dark and lovely black girls, but also for white parents who choose to adopt children of color. If you're looking for a unique and meaningful holiday gift, go to Amazon.com and type in "To Love Me is to Love the Skin I'm In," but don't wait too late!Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

In recognition of Thanksgiving, our theme is gratitude. Today, my Allies in Action Crew and I will be sharing experiences on our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging journey that may have been uncomfortable in the moment, but is something for which we are now grateful.Visit here for more! https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1

When I think about how I got into this space called Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging I am grateful for the hard lessons learned several years ago when I was first starting out. Lessons that helped me to trust my own voice in a way that evolved over the years into a sense of certainty that my approach works for me and benefits others.https://www.doctoranita.com/podcast-1