Show Notes

Leading Inclusion By Way of Personal Accountability

Friends, today I’m very excited to bring you a conversation that goes way beyond the same old talk about DEI – this isn’t just another conversation about diversity for diversity’s sake. My guest today, Delphia Howze, is someone who brings a fresh, real perspective on what it truly means to create inclusive environments, and as you’re about to hear, much of it starts with personal accountability.

Delphia is the CEO and Founder of D. Howze Solutions and serves as the Chief Inclusion Officer at a national laboratory. She’s been a driving force in the Diversity & Inclusion space for over two decades, with experience across industries – from banking to retail, to energy. Her approach is grounded in real-world results, helping organizations not just tick the diversity box, but truly harnessing the power of human capital to drive meaningful change.

We’re diving into her new book, Including You: Leading Inclusion from Where You Are, where Delphia takes a different route. She challenges each of us to look inward – to reflect on our own biases and understand how they affect the way we interact with others. It’s about more than just policies or training sessions. It’s about stepping up, having the hard conversations, and using something called ‘appreciative inquiry’ to really bridge divides and foster genuine understanding.

We’ll talk about why giving people the space to be themselves is the real key, instead of forcing our own expectations on them. And the best part? It’s not about pointing fingers – it’s about how we can all do better, one step at a time, and how that personal growth creates positive ripples around us.

If you’re ready for an honest, no-fluff conversation on what it actually takes to create inclusive spaces in your life and work, then stick around. This one’s going to shift your perspective. 

Takeaways

• Personal accountability is key in creating inclusive environments.
• Self-reflection helps us understand our biases and how they impact our interactions with others.
• Engaging in dialogue and appreciative inquiry can bridge divides and foster understanding.
• Giving people the space to be themselves and not imposing our expectations on them is crucial for inclusion.
• Striving to become better and understanding others leads to positive change in ourselves and our surroundings.

Who is Delphia Howze?

Delphia L. Howze is the Founder and CEO of D. Howze Solutions, LLC, a D&I consultancy.  She is a forward-thinking Human Resources and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) executive with more than 20 years of successful experience in helping organizations leverage the diversity of human capital to create and strengthen inclusive environments.  Her areas of expertise include developing and implementing HR and D&I strategies, training and development, mentoring and coaching, and leadership development.   As a speaker and trainer, Delphia consistently leaves audiences energized and prepared to take on next level opportunities to move the needle towards greater inclusion.

   An HR leader in higher education, Delphia has been responsible for working in partnership with senior leaders and key stakeholders to shape, develop and deliver strategic HR plans aligned with university priorities.

 Throughout her career, Delphia has enhanced her skills as an HR professional and D&I leader through roles of increasing responsibility held in industries such as retail, banking, energy, trucking and logistics, consulting, and higher education.  She serves a Diversity & Inclusion Expertise Panel Member for SHRM as well as the President and D&I Chair for A New York based SHRM Chapter.  Delphia consistently demonstrates her commitment to HR and D&I by serving as a board and trustee member to a variety of organizations.  She also works closely with college students as an Adjunct Professor teaching HR, D&I, and Business principles.

​Delphia enjoys helping others learn, understand, and apply new information and perspectives.  Throughout her career, she has successfully facilitated learning opportunities as a keynote speaker, college instructor, business facilitator, and most recently, a virtual leader. 

Learn more about and connect with Delphia Howze online:

website: https://www.dhowzesolutions.com/

LinkedIn: @delphia-l-howze-shrm-cp-phr

Instagram: @dhowze.solutions

 

What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!

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