June 9, 2021

Looking for a List?, with Sara Taylor

Episode 86:

Looking For A List: The Illusion of Equity Work Shortcuts

What You Will Learn:

  • Why many, many times over the years of her work, Sara has been asked for a “list”: an instruction list of what to do and what to say in given situations
  • How this desire for a “list” can be likened to a “fast food drive-thru” approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues, attempting to shortcut the real equity work
  • Why there is no magic list that offers a shortcut, and why ongoing development, recognizing issues and addressing them with new policies and processes is unavoidable
  • Why this desire for a list does come from the positive intent of wanting to not offend or cause issues, but why it also trivializes real equity work and its complexities
  • Why doing the hard, intentional development work and understanding the unconscious lenses through which we see difference is vital for lasting change
  • Why a lack of time and fear or uncertainty about the unknown are the two driving forces behind the desire for a magic list

Equity Work

About Sara Taylor

Sara Taylor earned a master’s degree in Diversity and Organizational Development from the University of Minnesota. She served as a leadership and diversity specialist at the University of Minnesota for five years and as director of diversity and inclusion for Ramsey County, Minnesota for three years.

Sara is the founder and president of deepSEE Consulting and has worked with companies as large as Coca-Cola, General Mills, 3M Company, AARP, and numerous others. She has a new book, “Filter Shift: How Effective People See the World,” that explores how our unconscious is actually making choices and decisions for us, all without our knowing — and how to change that.

How to Connect with Sara Taylor: