Tess Jackson is a government analyst, federal leadership coast, and a navy veteran who takes pride in her experience. With over 20 years as an executive administrator, Tess has expertise in forging constructive corporate communication to help infuse diversity in the workplace, increase feelings of belonging, add organizational value, and enhance transparency in decision-making. Additionally, Tess is a children’s author.

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Tess Jackson discuss:

• Grasping listening opportunities
• Asking questions the right way
• Colorblindness isn’t anti-racism
• Training your self-awareness

Key Takeaways:

• Listen and assess the information you are being given. Every time a person allows you into their space and lets you learn from them, treat it like an opportunity.
• Ask the question in the right way. Instead of saying “why did you think that?”, ask “how did you come to that conclusion?” It makes people more comfortable to engage.
• Colorblindness doesn’t serve anyone, being apathetic or willfully ignorant of someone’s identity is not the solution to racism. People want to be seen, heard, and loved for who they are. You can’t just erase a person.
• People must strive to gain greater awareness and knowledge of their own culture so that when they engage in a conversation with other people, they’ll be able to communicate clearly how they want to be referred to or addressed.

“Be open. Open up yourself to different perspectives, different ideologies. When you work with people, you have to stop, be open, listen, and then assess the information that you are being given.” - Tess Jackson

Connect with Tess Jackson:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/T.-M.-Jackson/author/B08P6J3GQN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMJacksonAuthor

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

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Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/

KEY WORDS:

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.