Series 4, Episode 13: Overcoming adversity - A personal story about diversity, acceptance and driving a culture of workplace inclusion

In this episode, Sush Bastola, Sales Director at the EW Group and
Challenge Consultancy, meets Graci Harkema to discuss overcoming
adversity and creating a culture of belonging in the workplace.
Graci is a US-based diversity specialist. 


Graci shares her moving and inspirational personal story from
being born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during civil
unrest with little chance of survival, to being adopted, moving
to the USA, realising her sexual orientation and ultimately 
accepting herself for who she is. 


Graci says: “I was living for others’ expectations instead of
accepting my own identities. For so long I saw my identities as
my shame instead of my strength.”


Sush and Graci also discuss how employers can develop authentic
leadership and truly be inclusive to support an internal culture
which makes employees want to stay. Graci shares insights into
how her past colleagues and employer supported her through her
journey and helped her feel a sense of belonging in the workplace
where she could be her authentic self. 


With increasing pressure from customers, staff, networks and
communities to develop more ethical and inclusive practices, they
explore how fostering an inclusive culture not only gives
organisations a competitive edge in the marketplace, but also
positively impacts the bottom line as a result of stronger
collaboration and teamwork which directly contribute to the
productivity and service the organisation provides. 


Follow Graci Harkema on LinkedIn and Twitter or visit her
website. Graci’s memoir ‘Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom
- and Back Again is now available for pre-order and will be
released in Spring 2023. 


Follow EW Group on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news and
thinking in diversity and inclusion or get in touch to explore
how we can work with you to build safe and inclusive environments
at work.