EDI Coaching Cards – Expert Interview With Chelsea Kirk Making Business Matter (MBM)

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Join us as we explore Chelsea Kirk's profound perspective on EDI (equity, diversity, inclusion) and, above all, the significance of belonging. Discover how these principles can transform workplaces into vibrant ecosystems where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best. Also, we talk about the EDI Coaching Cards and how valuable they can be.



So get ready for a journey that goes beyond the surface, into the heart of creating workplaces that truly reflect the diverse tapestry of the world we live in.

You Can Read the Full Kantar Market Share Transcript Below:

Darren A. Smith:

Welcome to the world's stickiest learning. I am absolutely over the moon to have Chelsea Kirk with us. Hello.

Chelsea Kirk:

Hello, thank you for having me.

Darren A. Smith:

Hello how are you doing? It's Friday weekend soon.

Chelsea Kirk:

Absolutely super excited.

Darren A. Smith:

Good, good, good, good. Now we wanted to ask you to come to our podcast because you're an expert on EDI, is that right?

Chelsea Kirk:

That is.

Darren A. Smith:

OK. So Chelsea, would you tell us what you do and in the nicest possible way, why should we listen to you when you talk about EDI?

Chelsea Kirk:

Yeah, of course. So my current position is head of equality, diversity, inclusion at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn been in that post for around 2 1/2 years and done EDI for probably near enough four years.

Darren A. Smith:

Wow.

Chelsea Kirk:

And kind of a generalist for about 8 years in HR prior to EDI. I suppose in terms of listening to me, I've got kind of a lot of experience in sort of that HR field in the EDI sort of field and landscape and.

Darren A. Smith:

OK.

Chelsea Kirk:

We're quite well connected with different sort of professions and different EDI leaders, and I think as well sort of keeping yourself current. It's really important that you know, as the landscape evolves constantly, it is around, how do you kind of keep yourself current? So you know, well connected, you know, net networking with different individuals. It is really important as well. So I would say in a roundabout way that that to sort of summarise. Yes.

Darren A. Smith:

Alright, alright, cool. Cool, cool. So EDI is something that's relatively new to most people, although it's becoming, dare I say, on trend, it's becoming more topical, which is a good thing. So if I new to EDI, would you just summarise for us what is this thing and why should we start understanding it better?

Darren A. Smith:

Run.

Chelsea Kirk:

Why is really important one? I think creating that sense of belonging in the workplace, having that safe space to be their true authentic selves and bring their whole selves to, you know, the workplace. And I think that for me is really, really important. And I think as you know, EDI has really sort of grown over the last sort of few years. I think there's a few topics that have really elevated that. So I think you know the Me Too movement, the Black Lives Matter.



Employees who feel welcomed contribute to a healthy workplace environment



 

Chelsea Kirk:

Have really sort of pushed the dial and organisation.

Darren A. Smith:

There.

Chelsea Kirk:

Sort of. You know, waking up to some of that and, you know, EDI is becoming quite a top priority in organisations and now becoming that golden thread through it all really.

Darren A. Smith:

Yeah, and what about organisations that are still sort of we're too busy, we've got too much on, we're just not going to think about this now, does it matter? Why should they really start thinking about it and caring about this stuff?

Chelsea Kirk:

Yeah,