Vernā Myers: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | E108

How can diversity and inclusion help your company?   The bottom line: it motivates people and is shown to have a positive financial impact!   In today’s episode, we are chatting with Vernā Myers, VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, Harvard-trained lawyer, and founder of the Vernā Myers Company. Vernā is a best-selling author and is known as a cultural change catalyst, influencer, thought leader, and social commentator. Vernā has been featured on CNN and cited in numerous publications including The Atlantic, Bloomberg BNA, Business Insider, Forbes, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, Refinery29, and TED NPR Radio to name a few.   In this episode, Vernā and I talk about her transition from Harvard Law to her focus on diversity and inclusion, defining equity, and sorting through unconscious biases. We then talk further about how you can be an ally, understanding microaggressions and micro-affirmations, the financial impact of D&I for companies, and the difference between sympathy versus empathy.   Social Media:   Follow YAP on IG: www.instagram.com/youngandprofiting Reach out to Hala directly at [email protected] Follow Hala on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Follow Hala on Instagram: www.instagram.com/yapwithhala Follow Hala on ClubHouse: @halataha Check out our website to meet the team, view show notes and transcripts: www.youngandprofiting.com   Timestamps:   01:10 - Vernā’s Shift From Law to Diversity & Inclusion 03:39 - How Vernā Uses Her Law Skills Today 05:45 - Verna’s Definition of Diversity and Inclusion 08:46 - Understanding The Concept of Equity 10:46 - Imposter Syndrome and its Relation to Diversity 14:31 - Experience with Unconscious Bias 17:28 - Improving Your Unconscious Bias Over Time 19:20 - Social Hierarchy Framework: Prejudice to -isms 24:24 - How to Lift Up Marginalized Groups as Leaders 27:23 - How to Support with Balance 29:41 - How to Raise Children in a World Full of Biases 34:25 - What is a Microaggression?  37:53 - What are Micro-Affirmations? 40:28 - The Financial Impact of D&I 45:09 - Sympathetic vs. Empathy/Compassion 48:27 - Continuing this Conversation 51:40 - Vernā’s Secret to Profiting in Life   Mentioned in the Episode: Vernā’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernamyers/ Vernā’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/VernaMyers Vernā’s Website: https://www.vernamyers.com/