Diversity leadership development that moves mountains*
* what peak do you want to reach?
Great leaders live for the moments when the team is engaged and collaborative. The work of diversity coaching is challenging (but not overwhelming,) and the vibe is about empowering everyone.
That’s the expression of leadership I cultivate within my clients. 📈 💜
inclusive leadership mindset
Diversity Leadership Coaching to build trusting relationships and amplify your impact
experience in DEI and leadership is 🔑
Managing, supporting and collaborating with our colleagues at work is both deeply fulfilling, and remarkably challenging. We’re humans after all, and we bring a lifetime of different experiences into our working relationships - skills and struggles, gifts and trauma.
Culture, gender and other expressions of identity affect how we move through the world. I cultivate awareness and compassion within my clients, skills that we develop alongside active listening and a growth mindset that build trust. That trust - often called psychological safety - is common with today’s high-performing leaders and companies.
What sets me apart is my unique combination of expertise: A track-record working in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI,) and challenging leadership roles in tech and social impact companies. As a leadership coach I bring cultural awareness, plenty of practical experience in complex situations, and genuine empathy to my clients.
How can I bring this knowledge and impact to you and your work?
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My work advising work as a Certified Diversity Trainer while at the University of California, Davis, in leadership at startups like CampusEngine where the pace was frantic, and in strategy at nonprofits like Grace Cathedral during the crisis of COVID have brought me a special blend of vision, empathy and ambition for the experience of work.
And IMO, experience matters.
tl;dr
diversity & inclusion coaching 🧠💜 = 🚀
The most helpful leadership coaches possess extensive firsthand experience in leading diverse, global teams, navigating power dynamics, fostering trusting connections with cultural awareness, and advocating for necessary resources. My approach to diversity and inclusion coaching leverages my experience to become your advocate, network connector, trusted advisor and champion.
I’m driven by a sincere passion to assist you in discovering your purpose, expressing it with clarity, and propelling you to unprecedented achievements.
I love lifting people up.
groupthink is dangerous
Organizations with diverse leadership outperform
I believe in in diverse leadership development because the benefits organizations and humans. Having diverse teams are more flexible in decision making, are more creative in problem-solving, and are better equipped to engage a broader customer base.
Enhanced decision-making: Diversity in leadership brings a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and knowledge to the decision-making process. This diversity of thought can lead to more robust and well-rounded decision-making, as different viewpoints challenge assumptions and drive innovative solutions.
Improved creativity and innovation: Diverse leadership teams foster a culture of creativity and innovation. When individuals from different backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique ideas, insights, and problem-solving approaches to the table. This diversity can spark creativity and lead to breakthrough innovations.
Better understanding of customer base: Companies with diverse leadership teams are often better equipped to understand and meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Leaders who reflect the diversity of their target markets can provide valuable insights into cultural nuances, preferences, and trends, enabling companies to develop products and services that resonate with a wider range of customers.
Adaptable 💥 Innovative 📈 Connected
Increased adaptability and agility: Diverse leadership teams tend to be more adaptable and agile in navigating complex and rapidly changing business environments. Different perspectives and experiences enable teams to anticipate and respond to challenges more effectively, fostering resilience and the ability to seize emerging opportunities.
Enhanced employee engagement and retention: Inclusive leadership teams create an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and represented. This fosters higher levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty, leading to improved retention rates. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that values diversity and provides opportunities for growth and advancement for all.
Expanded talent pool and recruitment advantages: Companies that prioritize diversity in leadership can attract a wider pool of talent. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are more likely to be attracted to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion. A diverse leadership team also signals an inclusive culture, making the company more appealing to potential employees.
👇🏽
In this lively and unscripted chat Michael and Sandrine - both leaders of culture-centered companies - introduce strategies and the growth that comes from investing in workplace culture, global marketing and inclusive leadership.
VIDEO STORYTELLING IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
In the YouTube conversation above you’ll Meet Sandrine Vohra, the CEO of MIKADO, a dynamic multicultural marketing agency specializing in global brand communications. She’s sharing her expertise with Michael, the Managing Partner of Bay Area-based New Sincerity, a firm dedicated to providing DEI coaching and strategic guidance.
This conversation offers an authentic and unscripted view into our leadership style. We firmly believe in bringing people together and fostering genuine connections. Through our shared unique approach to management, we strive to cultivate growth not only for our clients but also for our teams and organizations as a whole.
Our aim is to provide you with valuable insights and fresh perspectives that will ignite inspiration and spark new ideas. We want to empower you to unleash your full potential and achieve remarkable accomplishments in your professional journey.
I support and empower and first-time managers, senior executives, VC’s and anyone open to new pathways to career growth and success at work.
“Michael has helped me make the difficult choices a leader has to make.”
Up next: Innovative approaches to leadership development and corporate culture 🤔
Experiential, Technology, Peer-to-Peer and more: New Approaches to Leadership Development
The Big Ideas
Innovation in leadership development training is essential to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of work.
Hybrid, DEI and shifting macroeconomic conditions challenge leaders to embrace fresh, new ideas when cultivating talent
An inclusive and culturally-aware skillset will help you navigate complexity, drive innovation, and inspire high-performance teams.
Here are some innovative approaches that have emerged in recent years:
Innovation in leadership development training is essential to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of work and to cultivate leaders who can navigate complexity, drive innovation, and inspire high-performance teams. Here are some innovative approaches that have emerged in recent years:
Experiential Learning: Traditional classroom-based training is being augmented with experiential learning methods that provide leaders with hands-on experiences and real-world challenges. These may include simulations, case studies, role-playing exercises, and team-based projects. By actively engaging leaders in practical situations, they can develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in a safe yet immersive environment.
Technology-Enabled Learning: With the advent of digital technologies, leadership development programs are incorporating online platforms, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and gamification to enhance the learning experience. These technologies offer interactive and engaging modules that enable leaders to practice skills, receive immediate feedback, and collaborate with peers across geographical boundaries. Virtual coaching and mentoring are also becoming popular, providing personalized support and guidance to leaders.
Peer-to-Peer Learning Networks: Harnessing the power of collective intelligence, peer-to-peer learning networks bring leaders together to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices. These networks foster collaboration, facilitate cross-functional learning, and provide a platform for leaders to learn from one another's successes and failures. Whether through formal mentoring programs, communities of practice, or informal networking events, leaders can expand their perspectives and build valuable relationships.
Leadership Labs and Hackathons: Inspired by the principles of innovation and experimentation, leadership labs and hackathons offer leaders the opportunity to explore new ideas, test assumptions, and prototype solutions. These immersive experiences encourage creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration, allowing leaders to develop skills in problem-solving, agility, and adaptability. By working on real-time challenges - in offices in the San Francisco Bay Area or hybrid workplace environments - leaders cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and learn to thrive in ambiguous and fast-paced environments.
Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Training: In recognition of the critical role of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in effective leadership, training programs are incorporating mindfulness practices and emotional intelligence development. These approaches help leaders enhance their ability to manage stress, navigate conflicts, build positive relationships, and make empathetic and ethical decisions. By cultivating mindfulness and emotional resilience, leaders can foster a culture of well-being and lead with authenticity and empathy.
Diversity and Inclusion Training: Given the increasing focus on diversity and inclusion, leadership development programs are integrating training on unconscious bias, cultural competence, and inclusive leadership. These programs help leaders recognize their biases, develop cultural intelligence, and create inclusive environments that embrace diverse perspectives. By fostering diversity and inclusion, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams and drive innovation and organizational performance.
Continuous Learning and Microlearning: Recognizing that leadership development is an ongoing journey, organizations are shifting from one-time training events to a culture of continuous learning. Microlearning, which delivers bite-sized, just-in-time content, is gaining popularity as it allows leaders to access learning materials conveniently and at their own pace. Mobile apps, podcasts, and online learning platforms offer leaders the flexibility to engage in learning anytime, anywhere, making leadership development an integral part of their daily routine.
Innovation in leadership development training is essential to equip leaders with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's complex and dynamic world. By leveraging experiential learning, technology, collaboration, mindfulness, diversity, and continuous learning, organizations can cultivate a new generation of agile, inclusive, and visionary leaders.
radically inclusive leadership coaching
Navigating today’s career environment and workplace requires new skills that see and value the humanity of the employee, build trusting relationships, and maintain high expectations for performance.
I bring these values and training to my clients and work. I’ve held positions including Director, Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer. I’m currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, but notably, I have also served as the Director of Career Development at University of California, Davis, guiding the career exploration of students and alumni, while additionally bringing companies like SAP, Deloitte, Stryker, Allstate and others on campus to engage job-seekers.
I want to hear your story. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute conversation with me.
Ask me anything, I’ll listen.
