The IFSEA 2021 Virtual Conference opened with a thought-provoking discussion on the impact of social movements in the workplace and the important role of senior executives to show clear and visible leadership. Some of the key takeaways from the session included:
- The importance of creating the right vocabulary & language for employees to be able to discuss race, gender, gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues safely and proactively at work, and an acceptance that we will make mistakes, but that should not stop executives from embracing these discussions.
- Leaders need to get out of their comfort zone on Diversity and Inclusion and display “next generation behaviours” in order to drive change.
- Employee grievances about race and other discrimination issues should not be regarded by senior executives as an attack on their organisation, but rather as an opportunity for the organisation and leadership team to grow and improve.
- When hiring, leaders should assess the best person for the role based not on the attributes of prior incumbents but with a fresh eye to the actual output required from the job which can, in turn, transform how candidates from diverse backgrounds are assessed.
Thank you again to our expert panel of speakers for a superb session:
Kelly Dermody, Partner, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP (California, USA)
Rick Vassell, Financial Services Senior Executive (UK)
Nicola Foster, Head of Solutions – Culture Transformation & Change, Better Business (UK)
Kiran Daurka, Partner, Leigh Day (UK)
Anna Birtwistle, Partner, Farrer & Co LLP (UK) (Chair)
The second International Forum of Senior Executives and Founders (IFSEA) Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders was held virtually from Tuesday, 2 February – Tuesday, 16 March 2021. This unique specialist conference ran as a series of virtual international expert panels and two networking events per week, bringing together over 65 leading global experts from 13 countries around the world to discuss issues commonly faced by international Senior Executives and Founders, particularly during these times of global crisis, disruption and opportunity.
View other sessions from the IFSEA 2021 Virtual Conference here.
Find out more about the International Forum of Senior Executive Advisers and become a member here.
