Episode 88. Rhodes Perry – Belonging at Work

EP 88 Rhodes Perry

Rhodes Perry, MPA (he/him) is a bestselling author, sought-after keynoter, and an award-winning social entrepreneur. Nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader, he has 20 years of leadership experience having worked at the White House, the Department of Justice, and PFLAG National. Media outlets like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press have featured his powerful work. He serves as the Founding CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, a global leadership and management consulting firm helping visionaries and change makers build psychological safety, trust, and belonging at work.
 
Rhodes’ team partners with leading brands including Genentech, PNC Bank, and Kellogg’s along with government agencies like the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the U.S. Department of Interior and larger nonprofits including the American Red Cross, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Center for the Study of Social Policy. Together, the firm co-creates transformative change management solutions building equitable cultures centering those least likely to feel a strong sense of psychological safety and trust on the job. The firm specializes in executive coaching, leadership development, DEI capacity building, and strategic planning solutions.
 
Rhodes created and hosts the annual Belonging at Work Summit, a virtual DEI conference empowering inclusive leaders to build community, gain new skills, and recommit to building healthier workplace cultures. He is also the creator and host of the popular podcasts, Imagine Belonging at Work and The Out Entrepreneur. Together, these shows have empowered over 150,000 inclusive leaders – and those on their way to joining them – in building workplace cultures of belonging.

Rhodes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Gender Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. He currently serves on the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Transgender Inclusion Task Force, on the University of Notre Dame’s Alumni Rainbow Community Board, and on the Cascade AIDS Project’s Board of Directors

Rhodes spends his free time bicycling world-wide from the French Alps to his hometown peaks in the Cascades and welcomes suggestions for his next great cycling adventure. More about Rhodes may be found at www.rhodesperry.com.

Favorite Quote:

“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” — Angela Y. Davis

Quote from interview:

“The workplace can be a place where we are able to break through this feeling of loneliness.”

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:

How well do we model the four ingredients of belonging?

  1. How are we recognizing, rewarding and honoring all that our talent brings to the workplace? \
  2. How well do we enable others to feel connected authentically? 
  3. How are we invested in psychological safety so we can ask for help, admit mistakes and offer constructive feedback without fear of negative consequences.
  4. Pide and purpose. How do we enable a feeling of alignment  with the bigger mission and purpose of the organization?

Three other things we can do:

  1. Intentionally practice using gender inclusive language.  
  2. Do your work. Self-educate. 
  3. Keep your heart and mind open. 

Thank you for being loyal listeners of ROG. Beginning in July, after the Pride series, ROG is taking a summer break. and will return on August 30th with a recap of the first half of 2022 and an update on what’s ahead for the duration of this year. 

Resources:

Coming Next:

Episode 88: we will be joined by Amber Hikes, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer · ACLU

Credits:

Rhodes Perry, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

Leave a Comment





Take the quiz:

What's your generosity quotient?

To become a groundbreaking leader, you need to know where you stand. Discover your default generosity style with our free assessment.