Open Source Summit + ELC North America 2020

​Being a woman on a team of all men means that you are going to have a unique voice and it’s very important to embrace it. It could also mean being the only one to speak against the popular opinion, or becoming more visible to get the same level of recognition.
​While study after study demonstrates diversity drives major business benefits, the truth is most of us would rather not talk about the issues that force us to have diversity strategies in the first place. Or at least not talk directly with those we want to influence. Instead, we talk “amongst ourselves,” with those who can sympathize with our situation, rather than being brave enough to have the conversations that matter most.
There are no shortcuts for enabling inclusive workplaces. The key is ​not to let fear hold you back from full engagement. But you need to start somewhere. In this short talk, we’ll discuss how to launch team conversations, holding all-hands meetings calling out racially charged incidents when they happen or introducing yourself with your pronouns. The conversation you’re avoiding is the very one needed to address the deep, systemic issues of inequality in the workplace. This talk will also help the audience to realize how they can create a diverse and inclusive environment by following some very basic and easy things in their daily routine.