Talent Development

This past year has brought massive change and disruption for both individuals and organizations. Not only did organizations have to quickly pivot their entire operation to some form of virtual engagement, but we saw thousands demonstrating and pushing for a new social contract to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. All of this while most of us were … Read more

Mentoring is not limited to one style, format or place. It can take place in a variety of spaces, such as the workplace or through academic institutions. Relationships can also be established through professional organizations. And some mentoring relationships occur informally amongst networks. Sometimes, mentorship is set up to support career growth and guidance. Sometimes, mentoring supports diversity and inclusion … Read more

A few years ago, I wrote about the shift from Diversity to Inclusion and how top companies are not only focusing on diversifying their teams but also how to create a more inclusive environment. Unfortunately, not much has changed since then. In fact, the current pandemic crisis is putting the small gains of equity we’ve made at risk as organizations … Read more

Market leaders know that you can’t achieve high profitability without building and caring for a robust and stable workforce. More and more, companies are realizing that their employees are more than the sum of their working hours, sales, or innovation. Your employees are people, first and foremost, and they spend a large portion of their lives at work. And while … Read more

A recent survey of 3,000 full-time employees representing 21 industries across the US revealed a telling statistic: 76% of people feel having a mentor at work is important. Similarly, Bersin found organizations with excellent cultural support for coaching have 13% stronger business results. And yet, the majority of people currently do not have a mentor or a coach. This is … Read more

One of the main goals of universities is to help students thrive and succeed in any way they can, preparing them for the real world after graduation. Sometimes it can be really difficult for students to make that transition, but mentoring provides extra support that can help new students find their footing in college or soon-to-be-graduates find their place in … Read more

Some subjects are just hard to talk about. Whether with colleagues, friends or family, some subjects make us uneasy, which can lead us to avoid them altogether. But mentoring relationships are about the uncomfortable, just as much as the comfortable. Committing to mentorship means allowing yourself to be open to difficult discussions, just as often as you dive into easy … Read more

March 11, 2020, the day the World Health Organization announced a global pandemic, marked a new era for professional life as we knew it. In less than a month, local and state governments enacted shelter-in-place rules and social distancing guidelines, causing all non-essential businesses to shut their doors and begin working remotely from home. This abrupt and sudden change has … Read more

Employee engagement is one of the most important and most prioritized aspects of a business. A recent Gallup poll found that 87% of employees are not engaged in their work, meaning they are not involved in, enthusiastic about or committed to their work or workplace. This lack of engagement costs U.S. companies $450 billion per year in productivity. When you … Read more

For many of us, working from home has become the new normal. Coronavirus has turned our way of life upside down and is transforming the way we work. As a result of the acceleration of COVID-19, companies are striving to effectively engage and support millions of remote workers across America. Maintaining a connection when we are socially distancing sounds like … Read more

Even during more normal times, when work or education occurs on-site and not at makeshift desks at home, there are major benefits to mentorship programs that incorporate the ability to connect virtually. Read more

Toxic work cultures and microaggressions continue to plague the workplace for women. But there are steps organizations can take to help combat gender bias. Read more

One of the great things about mentoring is the real, human connection that’s created by two or more people. It gets us back to a time before social media – before we considered a “like” a meaningful interaction with another person. Mentoring requires thoughtful conversations, brainstorming and generally diving in deep with someone else. Does that mean that online mentoring … Read more

With a formal program, Cox Automotive wanted career development to be a vital part of the employee journey—not something left to chance. The company developed a formal and structured career mentoring program to develop and move employees through the talent pipeline, rather than risk them looking for opportunities outside of the company. With the help of Chronus mentoring software, Cox … Read more

By shifting the focus from simply hitting diversity metrics to building inclusion programs in the workplace, leading organizations are not only able to create an environment of belonging that encourages diverse views, but also provide a ripe workplace for people with diverse backgrounds to flourish and feel valued. Read more

Jennifer Brown is an award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, author and diversity and inclusion expert. She is a passionate social equality advocate committed to helping leaders foster healthier and therefore more productive workplaces, ultimately driving innovation and business results. Informed by more than a decade consulting to Fortune 500 companies, she creates a compelling case for leadership to embrace the opportunity … Read more