Intersectionality, Identity, and the Heart of Leadership, with Zhou Fang

In this episode of the Spirituality in Leadership podcast, Andrew Cohn welcomes Zhou Fang, an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) consultant, practitioner, and strategist, and the founder of The Intersectional Group, based in Portland, Oregon. Zhou draws on her background as an immigrant from China, a multilingual communicator, and a woman of color to bring a uniquely grounded and intersectional lens to leadership and EDI work.Zhou shares how she once considered herself an atheist and never expected to connect with the word "spirituality,” in part because growing up in China, spirituality was culturally discouraged–if not outlawed. But over time, she discovered that spirituality, distinct from religion, is about the mind, the heart, and one's connection to the world and community around us. That realization has become central to both her personal life and her professional work.Tune in to discover how intersectionality, spirituality, and equity-focused leadership can work together to help you lead from the inside out.In This Episode:[00:00] Spirituality as connection to mind, heart, and community[01:50] Introduction to Zhou Fang and her work[06:36] Zhou Fang’s personal and professional journey[08:52] Growing up in China as an atheist and discovering spirituality[09:56] How her grandmother's shift from Buddhism to Christianity shaped her view[11:41] Why spirituality is bigger than religion[16:10] The roundabout metaphor[17:32] How intersectionality connects to EDI work[19:08] Why EDI work is intellectually and emotionally demanding[19:56] How spirituality reconnects her to her purpose and the why[22:30] Why compassion is at the heart of leadership[24:13] Compassion vs. intellect, and why both are necessary[27:04] An overview of Zhou's EDI services and approach[28:35] Why equity-focused leadership matters for business sustainability[30:24] How spirituality shows up practically in her client work[33:04] Where to find Zhou Fang and The Intersectional GroupResources and LinksSpirituality in Leadership Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirituality-in-leadership/id1713365406Zhou FangWebsite: https://www.intersectional.group/Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhoufang35Andrew CohnWebsite: https://www.spiritualityinleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcohnusa/Music: Kodiak: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rURKtnJr3jeHvZ0IVRQCe