When my son moved into his new apartment this summer, in a brand new town to finish his last year of college, we were both feeling excited and trepidatious. He didn't know anyone, nor had he spent much time there at all. (I am sure many of you can relate, if you have ever dropped your child off for college.)
When we walked into his freshly cleaned apartment carrying his first few boxes, I noticed an envelope on the counter. It was addressed to him and his dog, with a small goodie bag of dog treats next to it.
Inside the envelope there was a card, signed by the entire office staff, that read:
"Welcome to the place you BELONG".
As he read the card, I heard his big exhale of relief.
We all want to belong. No matter of our differences ––race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion –– it is a basic human desire.
Additionally, our sense of belonging is considered one of the most important drivers of our well-being. According to a Harvard study on health and aging, connection with others delays both our mental and physical decline.
To that end, I am so happy to share with you today's SATIATE guest, because her work (and her brand new book!) speaks to just this.
Dr. Gena Cox is the author of Leading Inclusion, an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and speaker. She advises DE&I leaders who want to build the inclusive environments all people deserve. Her work is designed to help us all feel empowered and inclusive in all forms of our leadership.
Listen and Hear:
A leadership model that we can all use in any environment
Why Gena teaches a respect first model
A simple prompt we can all use in uncomfortable situations
Why human connection is primary to our belonging and our well-being
In the spirit of belonging and respect for all people, I am so happy to share with you this important conversation.
MEET DR GENA COX:
Gena Cox, PhD is a corporate adviser and executive coach known as a straight-shooter who also brings warmth and generosity of spirit to her partnerships. She guides CEOs, leaders, and boards as they respond to evolving stakeholder expectations and transformation driven by societal change and organic and M&A growth. Her differentiator is the nuanced insights and recommendations she brings from a lifetime of continuous multi-disciplinary learning, enabling her to offer clients uniquely invaluable insights.
Gena holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology and is a professional certified coach (International Coach Federation). For over two decades, she has worked with Fortune 500 and multi-national clients, including Mastercard, Tech Data, Hitachi, Scotiabank, Corning, Quicken Loans, Johnson Controls, and Raymond James Financial.
Gena co-chairs the Awards Committee of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and is a member of the Society’s 2022 Leading Edge Consortium Planning Committee. She is also active with the University of South Florida Stavros Center for Free Enterprise & Economic Education and the University of Tampa TECO Energy Center for Leadership. Gena’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Fast Company, Business Journals, BBC Worklife, LinkedIn News, The Telegraph (UK), Vice, and other media. Her book, Leading Inclusion, is available wherever books are sold. The book catalyzes executive leaders to drive inclusion from the top of their organizations.
In the spirit of belonging and respect for all people, I am so happy to share with you this important conversation.
Be well friends,
