Stacey Gordon‘s journey to leadership has been a diverse and enriching experience. She has navigated through various roles in her career, including legal, business, financial services, talent acquisition, and leadership functions. Her focus on tackling bias in workplaces stems from her personal experiences across these industries. In each role, she witnessed barriers disguised as inexperience rather than biased decision-making by managers and leaders. This ignited her passion for creating inclusive cultures in workplaces.
Stacey’s early career in legal and business functions provided her with a strong foundation in understanding organizational dynamics and the importance of compliance. As she transitioned into financial services, she gained insights into the complexities of the industry and the significance of ethical decision-making. Her roles in talent acquisition and leadership functions further honed her skills in identifying and nurturing potential in individuals, regardless of their backgrounds.
Her journey has been marked by a consistent drive to challenge the status quo and advocate for fairness. Stacey’s diverse experiences have allowed her to develop a holistic perspective on leadership, which she leverages to promote inclusive practices. Her commitment to tackling bias and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a guiding force throughout her career.
Influences and Challenges
Stacey’s lived experiences have significantly shaped her leadership style. She has always been acutely aware of the barriers she faced and sought to be the antithesis of those experiences. Her goal has been to ensure that everyone she works with has a positive experience and to influence other managers and leaders to be more inclusive.
One of the most profound influences on Stacey’s leadership style has been her own experiences with bias and discrimination. Growing up, she encountered various forms of prejudice, which made her acutely aware of the need for change. These experiences fueled her determination to create environments where everyone feels valued and respected.
Stacey’s leadership style is characterized by empathy, authenticity, and a strong sense of justice. She believes that leaders should not only excel in their roles but also use their positions to drive positive change. This belief has been a cornerstone of her approach to leadership and has inspired many individuals to follow her lead.
As a woman in leadership, Stacey has encountered numerous challenges. Her strategy to overcome them is to focus on her work rather than being sidetracked by attempts to undermine her influence and expertise. She is inspired by a bumper sticker on her car that reads, “Well-behaved women seldom make history,” and she refuses to conform to societal standards rooted in misogyny, sexism, capitalism, and racism.
Stacey’s resilience and determination have been key factors in overcoming challenges. She has faced skepticism and resistance from various quarters but has remained steadfast in her mission. Her ability to stay focused on her goals and maintain her integrity has earned her respect and admiration from colleagues and peers.
Leadership Values and Inspiration
Stacey is driven by the desire to be on the right side of history. She envisions a future where children learn about current social conditions and political climates and feel emboldened by her courage and conviction.
For Stacey, leadership is not just about achieving success but also about leaving a lasting impact. She is deeply committed to the values of fairness, equity, and justice. These values guide her decisions and actions, ensuring that she remains true to her principles.
Stacey believes in inspiring and mentoring the next generation of women leaders by being her authentic self. She frequently receives appreciative messages from women who applaud her for continuing to speak up despite attempts to silence her work. She practices what she preaches by teaching a class on leading with authenticity.
In her mentorship efforts, Stacey emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning. She encourages aspiring leaders to embrace their unique qualities and leverage them to make a difference. Her mentorship approach is grounded in empathy and understanding, which fosters a supportive and empowering environment.
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
Stacey’s advice to women aspiring to reach leadership positions is not to let other people’s fears hold them back. Often, well-intentioned advice can limit innovation and risk-taking. She encourages women to pursue their goals despite the fear of others.
Stacey recognizes that societal expectations and traditional norms can be limiting, especially for women. She urges aspiring leaders to challenge these norms and redefine success on their terms. By doing so, they can break free from constraints and achieve their full potential.
One of Stacey’s key messages is the importance of resilience. She acknowledges that the journey to leadership can be challenging and filled with obstacles. However, she believes that resilience and determination are crucial for overcoming these challenges and achieving long-term success.
The Role of Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are cornerstones of all Stacey’s work. She strives to be an inclusive and authentic leader, ensuring these principles guide her leadership approach.
Stacey believes that diversity brings a wealth of perspectives and experiences that enrich organizations. By fostering an inclusive environment, leaders can tap into this diversity and drive innovation and creativity. She emphasizes that inclusion is not just about representation but also about creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.
In her work, Stacey advocates for policies and practices that promote equity and fairness. She believes that organizations must take proactive steps to address systemic biases and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. This includes implementing fair hiring practices, providing equitable access to resources, and fostering a culture of accountability.
Staying Motivated and Resilient
Stacey stays focused during tough times, acknowledging feelings of anger, frustration, and despair but not letting them overwhelm her. She reminds herself that opponents of DEI aim to shut her down and refuses to let them succeed.
Stacey’s resilience is rooted in her deep sense of purpose. She is driven by the belief that her work has the power to create meaningful change. This sense of purpose keeps her motivated and allows her to navigate challenges with determination.
To maintain her motivation, Stacey practices self-care and prioritizes her well-being. She understands the importance of taking care of herself so that she can continue to support others. This includes setting boundaries, seeking support from her network, and engaging in activities that bring her joy.
Stacey also finds motivation in the positive impact of her work. Hearing from individuals who have benefited from her efforts and witnessing the changes in organizations she works with are powerful reminders of the importance of her mission.
Career Achievements
Stacey’s proudest achievement is hearing from followers that her work has led to mindset shifts, improved relationships, and increased confidence in their abilities to pay forward what they have learned from her.
One of Stacey’s notable achievements is the development of her program, “The Work Beyond the Workshop™.” This program has been instrumental in transforming workplaces into inclusive spaces. By offering various learning styles, the program helps individuals reach a state of “Unconscious Inclusion™” and promotes lasting change.
Stacey’s impact extends beyond her immediate work. She has been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences and events, sharing her insights and experiences with a broader audience. Her contributions to the field of DEI have been widely recognized, and she has received several awards for her efforts.
Stacey’s ability to create positive change is reflected in the feedback she receives from those she has mentored and supported. Hearing from individuals who have experienced personal and professional growth as a result of her guidance is one of her greatest sources of pride.
Creating Inclusive Workplaces
Stacey’s years of experience have shown her that people are not inherently bad but unprepared. She aims to provide the tools needed for inclusivity, conflict management, accountability, and communication. She created an experience to educate professionals and provide a space to practice these skills, moving participants from education to transformation.
One of Stacey’s key approaches is to create safe spaces for dialogue and learning. She believes that open and honest conversations are essential for addressing biases and fostering understanding. By creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives, Stacey facilitates meaningful discussions that lead to growth and change.
Stacey’s programs are designed to be practical and actionable. She provides participants with the tools and strategies they need to implement inclusive practices in their workplaces. This includes training on conflict management, communication skills, and accountability. By equipping individuals with these skills, Stacey empowers them to create lasting change in their organizations.
Future Goals
Stacey’s key goal is to transform workplaces into inclusive spaces where work works for all. She plans to achieve this through her program, “The Work Beyond the Workshop™,” which offers various learning styles to help individuals reach a state of “Unconscious Inclusion™.” The program uses a mix of learning styles to educate minds, stimulate action, and moderate biased behavior.
In the next five years, Stacey envisions expanding the reach of her program to more organizations and individuals. She aims to create a ripple effect where the principles of inclusivity and equity are embraced and implemented on a larger scale. By doing so, she hopes to contribute to a more inclusive and just society.
Stacey’s vision for the future also includes continuing her advocacy efforts. She plans to collaborate with policymakers, educators, and community leaders to drive systemic change. By addressing the root causes of bias and discrimination, Stacey believes that lasting progress can be achieved.
Quotes
- “I wanted to ensure that not only would anyone that I work with have a good experience in their role, but that I could influence other managers and leaders to be more inclusive.”
- “I think about the side of history that I would like to be on. Fifty years from now, when children learn about the current social conditions and political climate, I hope that they will be emboldened by my courage of conviction.”
- “Don’t let other people’s fear stop you from achieving your goals. Often, the advice we receive from others prevents us from innovating or taking risks.
- “Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are the cornerstones of all the work I do. Therefore, I strive to be an inclusive and authentic leader.”
- “My years of experience have shown me that people in the world aren’t bad people. However, we are unprepared people. We have not been given the tools that we need to be more inclusive.”