Creating Pathways for Diverse Leaders to Thrive with LaTonya Wilkins

This week I’m chatting with LaTonya Wilkins, Director of Talent Management at the GIES College of Business, and the Principal of LaTonya Wilkins Coaching and Speaking. She is in a position of leadership in numerous organizations, which has given her insights into creating work environments that support diversity, equity and inclusion. LaTonya shares some of these insights and the research behind them. One observation she has made is that most people have gone through some sort of unconscious bias training, which makes them fearful of difference. The solution to this problem is exposure to the differences they fear, which has been found to reduce biases and increase levels of oxytocin, a chemical that builds trust. LaTonya discusses the value of coaching to both employees and leaders. She also dismisses the claims of diversifying the workforce as “lowering the standards,” saying that it is instead “lowering the hurdle.”ResourcesLaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn | Twitter | InstagramLaTonyaWilkins.com