Ep 52: Fireside Chat: Leading Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Challenges and Opportunities, Rohini Anand

Leaders Talk - Better Leadership. Better Organizations. Better World

Some time ago we hosted a Roundtable on the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion where we featured a lot of different companies like SAP, Coca-Cola, Sodexo and many others in their best practices in dealing with these important topics. The highlight was a Fireside Chat with Dr. Rohini Anand hosted by Prajna Paramita. Dr. Anand is a highly respected expert in DEI and was Sr. VP for CSR, and Global Chief Diversity Officer of Sodexo, which gained recognition for its leadership in DEI. She is now CEO of her own company which consults in this field. Her recent book on this subject has received wide acclaim. She talks with Prajna about her experiences and different issues of culture transformation.

These are the topics of the Fireside Chat with Dr.Rohini Anand:

- Dr. Anand talks about the five key principles in working with diversity and inclusion (4:34)

- She makes one illustrative example (11:15)

- Rohini Anand tells us about the most challenging issues that she had to address globally (13:51)

- She thinks about how race can be addressed without imposing a US framework (17:19)

- Rohini talks about leaders that disrupted their own worldview (23:15)

- She tells an example from working in Saudi Arabia (28:50)

- Dr. Anand thinks about the future of DEI (31:50)

- Call to Action from Rohini Anand (34:00)

- 1. Question from the audience: What role plays budget when it comes to DEI? (35:30)

- 2. Question from the audience: How can we create disruptive experiences for those who are in the majority in the company? (40:55)

What are your reflections? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you have suggestions for inspiring guests at Leaders Talk, feel free to email us at [e-mail]

Guest: Rohini Anand

Moderation: Karsten Drath, Prajna Paramita

Production & Editing: Hannah Jandl & Daniela Magnani Hüller

Research & Preparation: Tabea Zeller & Lena Wokurka