104: What Rules Do You Need to Break‪?‬ b Cause Work Doesn't Have to Suck

We spend so much damn time trying to create change while following the rules that were "written" decades ago. Whether it's trying to affect massive inequities or just trying to create change for yourself, you cannot get there if you simply follow the rules. In this week's b Cause episode, Nicole and Erin give you several stories and inspiration to ensure you make real impact in the world and don't stay stuck at the "kids table" yourself.  Erin Hatzikostas and Nicole Licata Grant sit down for another "How Was Your Week" episode to discuss equity, equality, and diversity. But what do those actually mean? And how do we even start to comprehend tackling the structures they exist within? They start by providing a few updates, including Nicole sharing her recent "hit and run" story, where she drives across her friend's lawn, knocking both the garbage and recycling bins into the street like some kind of Car-Bin-Bowling. (All after dropping off a bouquet of flowers!) Erin shares her own driving story, recalling she and her son driving home after hockey practice and driving 75 mph straight into a mystery animal/creature/beast stalking the roads at night. Following their driving antics, they get into the topic of the week: breaking the rules (when it comes to equity and equality). Erin shares a story of when she was asked to join a Board as a member alongside a CEO she had been working with. But after the team came back with the standard "Board playbook", she was only going to be offered an observer seat (i.e she could share her ideas but not vote on anything). Erin didn't nod "yes" though at the rules and playbook. Instead, she fought for a seat at the "adult table", recognizing that her situation was just the tip of the iceberg in why we struggle to get to gender equity in the workplace.  Expanding on this, Nicole takes us through her thoughts on the subject, discussing the playbook for diversity in business, the difference between equity and equality, and whether companies actually have what it takes to make genuine structural changes. Erin then poses the question "How can individuals start to make change?", especially if the company they are in is not trying.  Nicole answers this by talking about building teams and organizations with a core set of values that are not strayed from. Listen in for an episode full of insights, thoughtful questions, and an approach to equity, equality and diversity, that you probably won't find printed in the company HR manual! If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Follow Nicole on LinkedIn:   Follow Erin on LinkedIn:   Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @   We even share more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Get your own copy of Erin's book by searching "You Do You Ish" in amazon or going to   Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to   We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @   Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @   We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I'm not a bad driver...I'm a bad night driver..." "I ran over everything on their front lawn with my pants on inside-out." "I may have trespassed a little bit, taken out your trash cans and created a public disturbance at the same time. But at least I didn't steal from your porch." "You don't get to equity and equality without breaking some rules." "That's what I would put on your headstone: 'They said don't do it, so she definitely did that.'" "You're not waiting for someone to die to get promoted to the adult's table." 2I think there's this measure of shifting