114. Rohini Anand, PhD – Leaders Change to Lead Change

“Disruption of our worldview happens with the very painful work of introspection.” – Rohini Anand, PhD

Rohini Anand, PhD

Guest Bio:

Dr. Rohini Anand is a strategic global business leader and trusted board member who has successfully transformed cultures, built an iconic brand with an enduring reputation resulting in growing the core business and driving sales. Dr. Anand is a recognized pioneer and a sought-after expert on organizational transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), executive leadership, human capital, and global corporate responsibility (CR). Her global experience, cultural dexterity, vast network and ability to influence leaders result in a reputation for judgment, integrity and accountability.

Her new book, Leading Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Systemic Change in Multinational Organizations, offers five proven principles for multinational companies to advance DEI with a nuanced understanding of local contexts across countries and cultures. It is now available to buy!

As Principal and CEO of Rohini Anand LLC, Dr. Anand provides DEI advisory services to clients in the public and private sectors. She was the former SVP Corporate Responsibility and Global Chief Diversity Officer for Sodexo. She reported to the Global CEO and was a member of Sodexo’s North America Executive Committee. Rohini successfully positioned Sodexo as a global thought leader in DEI and CR. Sodexo’s remarkable global culture change, led by diversity and inclusion, is featured in a Harvard Business School case study entitled Shifting the Diversity Climate: the Sodexo Solution. 

Dr. Anand is a published author and esteemed speaker. She has been featured in CNBC, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, as well as appearing on CNN, Bloomberg and CNN Money and on National Public Radio. See some of her featured videos here.

Dr. Anand received her PhD from the University of Michigan. She serves on the boards of several organizations including WomenLift Health a Gates Foundation initiative, Aspen Institute’s Family Prosperity initiative, Tent Partnership for Refugees, Pulsely and Galt Foundation. She also serves on the DEI Advisory Boards of Charter Communications and Sanofi. Rohini chaired the Catalyst Board of Advisors, is a Senior Fellow with the Conference Board and is on the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Center for Inclusive Governance’s Advisory Council.

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:

Organizational focus on DEI: 

1. Focus on the things that are most impactful. What are you solving for? What are the initiatives that will have the largest impact? Measure the impact on the barriers. 
2. Link DEI to core business strategy. Diversity is leading to business outcomes. Connect the work you are doing to the mission of the organization. Understand the business well and make the DEI work integral and core to the business. Quantify how it grows the business. Make it congruent with purpose and how business is done. 
3. Influence key leaders to be allies and stakeholders. They will advocate on your behalf of the efforts you are making.

How to influence? Meet people where they are, without judgment. What makes the tick? Give them whatever experiences they need (head: data, listening to lived experiences; heart: engage in a position of being a minority, listen). Have a plethora of strategies. 

Belonging: How can our organization belong to diversity elite companies? 

Resources:

• www.RohiniAnand.com
• About Dr. Rohini Anand
• Leading Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Systemic Change in Multinational Organizations offers five proven principles for multinational companies to advance DEI with a nuanced understanding of local contexts across countries and cultures. 
  • Principle 1 — Make It Local 1. Localizing a Global Change Strategy 2. Understanding Race and Ethnicity
  • Principle 2 — Leaders Change to Lead Change 3. Transformational Leadership Across Cultures 4. Dealing with Resistance
  • Principle 3 — And it’s Good Business, Too 5. Compelling Rationales for Change 6. Creating Competitive Advantage through DEI
  • Principle 4 — Go Deep, Wide, and Inside-Out 7. The Scaffolding for Change: Governance and Champions 8. Embedding Change: Internal and External Ecosystems
  • Principle 5 — Know What Matters and Count It Conclusion: Elevating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Long Haul
• Four Strategies for Moving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Beyond Lip Service Article from Forbes.com
• Network Diversity Index Quiz
  

Dr. Rohini Anand with her new book Leading Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Coming Next:

Episode 115, Building Bridges Coaching Tips for Generous Leaders with Shannon Cassidy. Topic: Patience. 

Credits:

Dr. Rohini Anand, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.