Karen Catlin’s Post

🚀 Are you ready to take your allyship to the next level? In this week's blog post, "Seize the Moment and Other Actions for Allies," Karen Catlin shares five practical steps to create a more inclusive workplace and become a better ally. From seizing the moment to support when someone is misgendered, Karen provides actionable insights to make a real difference. Don't miss out on this valuable read! Check out the full post here: Let's continue making a positive impact together with the Better Allies® approach. Swipe up to read the full blog and join the movement. #Allyship #DiversityandInclusion

Ever been in that moment when someone cracks an inappropriate joke, and we're left feeling uncomfortable, maybe even letting out a nervous laugh because speaking up feels intimidating? It's a tough spot, but it’s also a defining one. Allyship isn’t always easy—yet it’s about showing up for those who are on the receiving end of microaggressions. The next time we're faced with that moment, let's ask ourselves: Which relationship matters more—the one with the person making the harmful comment or the one with the person impacted by it? Preparing responses can give us the courage to step up. Let’s build a culture where everyone feels valued, safe, and respected. #Allyship #InclusiveWorkplace #CourageToSpeak"

Since a lot of people are discussing comedians making racist comments at a recent political rally, I want to talk about how to respond when hearing them in our workplace. When I was doing research for my book "Belonging in Healthcare," I interviewed Shikha Jain, MD, FACP. She told me that when she was doing her training, an attending physician would make sexually explicit jokes about her in front of patients and the team. She admits laughing it off to just get through her rounds. Eventually, it got to the point where it was uncomfortable for the entire team. Yet, no one spoke up. Jain told me, “I think it’s because people figured if it wasn’t bothering me, they didn’t need to say anything.” But here’s the thing. As better allies, we should say something. If we don’t, we become complicit in allowing the joking to continue. We send a message that we’re okay with the behavior. So how do you go about speaking up? The easiest way is simply to have scripted responses in your back pocket. In the moment, you might freeze up and doubt yourself, so memorizing a few stock callouts is a great way to prepare yourself to confront inappropriate jokes and comments. Here are a few suggestions: - I don’t get the joke. Can you explain it to me? - I love a good joke, but that wasn’t funny. - Wow, that was awkward. - Did you really just say that? - We don’t do that here. — This is an excerpt from my upcoming “5 Ally Actions” newsletter. Subscribe and read the full edition at https://lnkd.in/gQiRseCb #BetterAllies #Allyship #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #Belonging #Allies 🙏

There are moments when the light escapes the room, where sounds become muffled. Hands feel clammy and the brain pauses mid thought. Senses are heightened by the presence of an energy that’s entered the space. A dark presence that feels unsafe. From an early age exposure to racist people taught my body to look for the signs and to quickly get far away. On public transport, walking down a street, entering a quiet pub, checking out at the supermarket, sitting across from someone in a meeting. It can be subtle … a glance, tension in the jaw, the body posture stiffens. It can be less subtle…verbal abuse, bullying, thankfully never life threatening experiences. Today I watched the body camera footage of the US police officers that responded to the 911 call from 36 year old Sonya Massey worried about a possible intruder on her property. I watched in disbelief. Horrified. Angry. Desperately sad. Sonya was shot dead in her home after police officers perceived her behaviour as being life threatening. She was in the process of removing a pot of boiling water off the stove. When they entered her home she was recorded saying “don’t hurt me”. I wonder if her body felt the signals at that moment. A friend and I talked yesterday about belonging. How leaders have become so focused on meeting their D&I targets, they have lost sight on why this work matters. A few reflections… - When we create teams that look “diverse” and fail to foster a culture where people feel like they belong/they are part of something/their role contributes positively, we will only ever be skimming the surface for what’s possible. The work doesn’t finish with a diversity hire, it’s only just beginning. - When we build cultures and communities that respect and value differences, that honours unique perspectives and voices, that recognises every individual has a contribution no matter their abilities/gender/race/sexuality/age… we can fulfil our greatest potential as a human race. This work matters. For our teams, organisations, governments, schools, families and communities. We need to do better as a human race. #belonging #sonyamassey #inclusion #diversity #racism Kate Blackwell "My drawing represents the land that binds us and unites us." "Humans are woven together. If someone gives up, others fall. We are all connected to our planet and to each other, but unfortunately we are little aware of it. We are woven together. Other people weave alongside me my own story; and I weave theirs," said the young designer. This drawing is by Anja Rozen, a 13-year-old primary school student in Slovenia. She was chosen from 600,000 children around the world to create a piece of art to show what peace looks like. She is the winner of the international Plakat Miru competition”. Story and Picture was sourced from “Bring side” Facebook page.

YOU'RE ALL RACIST & SEXIST! Spoiler Alert: You're not. An interaction on LinkedIn this week really showcased that even though it is important to address discrimination in the workplace - it's equally important to disseminate what negative experiences are discrimination and which ones are down to one own performance, misfortune, other people or coincidence. The post in question was someone talking about how her LinkedIn and socials have only showcased her great career to date but never shows that she'd been made redundant or had bad days in the office. We all do this. 📢 Cue: Random contributor who was hell bent on convincing her that had she not had male co-workers, her career would have been nothing but roses. 📢 Counterpoint: Everything she mentioned was applicable to all genders & races, so her post wasn't necessarily about her grounds of discrimination and the contributor was only diluting the posters message. The point I'm making is: 💡 Attributing every bad moment in the workplace to discrimination or bias can devalue and dilute the work of D&I programmes. 💡 Allies are just as important in the success of D&I as the people themselves - its much easier to walk through a door if people on the other side are pulling it open for you. 💡 Introspection is part of the process of calling out discrimination. It's arguably as toxic to not do it and blame everyone else first. Let me know what you think.

Try this! ⬇️   Did you know that giving ourselves self-compassion is a daily practice that is as important as cleaning our teeth?    Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent communication, used to visit prisoners in a high security prison, and before he could enter the prison, he had to concentrate on giving himself self compassion, sometimes taking a few days to do so.    In the same way that we would need to eat a healthy meal to give us energy before walking up a mountain, we need to serve ourselves a healthy dose of self-compassion before we can be open to giving compassion to others.     There are simple steps we can take to practise compassion. For example, when you feel emotions rising in yourself, such as anger, anxiety, and thoughts of blame towards yourself, stop, pause, and take a breath. Ask yourself, ‘what am I really intending?’, ‘what needs am I trying to meet?’.   Sometimes it can help to imagine yourself as a child as it can be easier to consider the innocence of a child meeting their needs in the best way that they can.     Try to show yourself some self compassion today and let us know how you get on in the comments or via direct message.     Stay tuned to our socials and subscribe to our newsletter using the Linktree in our bio so you don’t miss out on any CommPassion content! #MarshallRosenberg #lgbtplushistorymonth #workplacewellbeing #workplaceculture #communication #workplace #compassion #commpassion #selfcompassion #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #workplaceculture #nonviolentcommunication #wellbeing #communicate #psychologicalsafety #personaldevelopment #understanding #inclusionanddiversity #inclusion #diversity

As a brown woman who recently moved to a predominantly white country, I’ve become increasingly aware of the daily microaggressions faced by visible minorities—comments often disguised as compliments but rooted in subtle racism and ingrained stereotypes, it’s not okay to say: “Oh! How do you speak English so well? Were you educated abroad?”—as if proficiency in the language must be an exception for someone coming from my side of the world. “I can never tell where you’re from. You could be Italian, Spanish, Greek… That’s amazing because you can fit in so easily!”—implying that assimilation is something I should aspire to, as though my identity is malleable to fit others’ comfort. Not to mention the unsolicited advice on how things work “on this side of the world,” as if my background automatically limits my knowledge or ability to navigate life here. If I need help I WILL ask! The most striking part is the way this subtle exclusion manifests even with strangers. In one Facebook group I’m part of, an admin will comment “this is against the rules” when a someone posts something against the guidelines, but switches to “this is against *our* rules” when the post comes from a person of color. Words matter! They’re the building blocks of bias, of belonging, or exclusion. The subtleties of these interactions may seem small, but they compound—revealing an underlying attitude that speaks volumes and to be honest Im tired of educating people. Please do the the work, because guess what I’m also on my journey to identify my own unconscious biases and break them, because surprisingly a brown girl can have that too. So shout out to anyone doing the work, please share resources, interesting reads and anything that could help! #DoTheWork #WordsMatter #BrownGirl #SubtleRacism #Microaggressions #UnconsciousBias #VisibleMinorities #EverydayRacism #BreakingStereotypes #InclusionMatters #SpeakUp #Belonging

This is how the concept of mobbing (posted quite a few weeks ago) begins. A healthy culture has to be created to transcend this disparity. There are folks in respective fields doing AMAZING work but nepotism or favoritism (subjective behavioral political persuasion) for example, stagnates progress to the 12 power. Progress cannot prevail under ambivalence but a healthy work culture can create focused future forward production that is envied or known for its ingenuity, cutting edge team support (commitment to inclusion- where people would be knocking down doors to work within the environment) and "ethical" framework. #Teambuilding! #TeamProgressWorks #KeepShiningA.Seales! Op-Ed: It's Time To Admit That Being Liked Is More Important Than Being Good At Your Job | Essence🙄

Hot take: I am NOT an ally. 💥 The word "ally" has become a label that sets the bar too low. Being supportive, open-minded, and actively engaged in allyship should be the norm, not the exception. You either make a conscious choice every day to stand for inclusivity, or you don’t. Allyship is a fundamental part of who we are, not a special title we earn. In essence, the qualities of an ally embody basic human traits, integral to how we interact with the world and each other. Are YOU ready to stand in solidarity with me as a non-ally (but ONLY if you can safely do so)? 👉🏼 Here's how you can shake things up: Ditch the Label, Embrace the Action: Forget calling yourself an ally. Show up, speak out, and act. Actions prove commitment, not titles. Challenge the Norm, Not Just the Obvious: Go beyond the easy fights. Tackle the subtle biases and norms that keep injustice alive. Live the Cause, Don't Just “Like” It: Don't just support in words or online likes. Make your daily life a reflection of the change you want to see. This post is dedicated to my Wrecking Crew, with all of my gratitude for all that you are. 🫶🏼 [Image: Angela in stark black and white, NOT being an ally.] ✊🏼💕 #Advocacy #Action #Inclusion #Revolution —— #A11yWithAngela 👈🏼 Are you following this? Ring my bell! 🌈