Ep 13 - How Bias is Costing Your Company in More Ways Than One with Cindu Thomas-George

#DEI #InclusiveLeadership #SouthAsianSuccessIn this episode of South Asian Success, we sit down with Cindu a 22-year inclusion, belonging, and workplace communication expert, tenured professor, and founder of Shakti Consulting to talk about how bias is silently costing companies millions, and why DEI isn't a "dirty word" but a business imperative.From growing up as the only family of color in her town, to becoming a sought-after inclusive leadership coach for organizations across industries, Cindu shares her powerful journey and the real, actionable strategies leaders need to build inclusive, high-performing workplaces.🔗 Connect with Cindu and learn more about Shakti Consulting, Power to Rise podcast, CWLA, and the South Asian Solidarity Movement links in the show notes.Visit Website:Cindu Thomas GeorgeVisit Cindu Linkedin:Cindu Thomas GeorgeVisit Cindu Instagram: Cindu Thomas George✨ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:✔️ Why it costs companies roughly 15% of an employee's salary every time someone quits✔️ The real difference between diversity and inclusion (and why metrics alone lie)✔️ The science of bias affinity bias, attribution bias, and how to actually "de-bias" yourself⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Welcome to South Asian Success with Cindu01:21 – Cindu's immigrant journey begins03:02 – Growing up as the only family of color: racism & xenophobia04:25 – Why DEI became a "dirty word" in workplaces05:17 – Inside Shakti Consulting: how Cindu works with organizations07:34 – Bias in recruiting & manager training08:23 – The science of bias: affinity bias & attribution bias09:28 – The real cost: 15% of salary to replace an employee10:38 – Teaching intercultural communication in the classroom14:47 – Vulnerability, mental health & Gen Z students17:44 – The #1 barrier inclusive leaders face20:20 – Diversity vs. inclusion: why metrics can lie21:55 – The gender pay gap & leadership gap, by the numbers24:39 – When a diverse leader isn't an inclusive one26:27 – Everyone's responsibility: building a DEI committee28:38 – "If you see something, say something"29:08 – Recognition & psychological safety at work31:52 – Introverts, indirect communication & quiet voices32:56 – Chicago Women's Leadership Accelerator (CWLA)36:18 – Leading with intentionality36:31 – Where to find Cindu + closing thoughts—-----------------------------------------------------------------------Level up your business with Fathom AII use Fathom AI to streamline meeting workflows and improve content production. My work includes recording and transcribing meetings, extracting key insights, and converting discussions into structured summaries and actionable notes.Fathom AI Partner-----------------------------------------------------------------This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at http://www.customerxsuccess.com👉 Subscribe to South Asian Success for more real conversations on building better businesses, better leaders, and better workplaces.