34: Nika White – Inclusion, Curiosity and Passion

Listen to an Uphill Conversation with Dr. Nika White about the value of inclusion, curiosity, passion and authenticity in both our professional and personal lives.

Dr. Nika White’s professional career spans about 20 years, ranging from serving as a diversity and inclusion practitioner, an accomplished marketing communications executive, economic development leader and community advocate. Dr. White found inspiration through the intersection of business, diversity and leadership, and has made this her niche. She is a national sought after consultant, thought leader, and speaker to countless organizations and executives on issues of team engagement, organizational leadership, strategic diversity, and intentional inclusion.

Read her full bio at www.nikawhite.com.

Show Notes: 

• Nika shares about her professional journey from Marketing & Advertising to her current work in Diversity & Inclusion
• Addressing and overcoming the “trendiness” / “buzz words” of Diversity & Inclusion
• Reframing the conversation to “Effective Management of Human Difference”
• How to create understanding, show value and bring new people into the D&I conversation
• Allow curiosity to lead you to action and be bold in asking questions to seek understanding
• Being persistent and not losing courage when working towards change
• Surrounding yourself with quality people and a willingness to grow and bend while working towards your vision
• Value that diversity brings to organizations, teams and the bottom line
• Importance of personal strategic planning for Nika
• Just because you can do a lot of things well, doesn’t mean you should be doing a lot of things
• Having a spirit of conviction where you are “all in” and the power of intention and striving for excellence
• Glorification of “busy” and “curse of being capable”
• Willingness to be vulnerable enough to ask for help, don’t assume others can see your need
• Ensuring that as you are climbing, you are also lifting others
• Being an “intrapreneur” and placing priority on doing significant work
• Digging in and doing deep work instead of the safety of surface-level work
• How Nika keeps herself in alignment and maintains forward momentum
• We must face our own biases and open up to the opinions and perspectives of others
• Methods Nika uses to unplug and re-fuel
• Instead of work-life balance, think work-life blend
• Be the change – be the inclusion – you want to see in the world
• Full-Day event in Oct with Greenville Chamber all around D&I/Effective Management of Human Difference

Connect with Nika: 
Website: nikawhite.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikaWhite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite

Books / Podcasts / Videos: 
Intentional Inclusionist, Dr. Nika White
Amy Jo Martin Episode 32 
Video: Boy who sees father for first time

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