If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond the surface level of diversity, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Thomas Becker, an organizational psychologist and author, for a conversation about what it really takes to make diversity and inclusion meaningful—every day, not just during campaigns or holidays. You’ll hear Dr. Becker share why true cultural competence goes far beyond checkboxes and how “whole person appreciation” can help teams reconnect on a human level, even when opinions or backgrounds are drastically different.
As a listener, you’ll come away with clear ideas for fostering a sense of belonging in any group or workplace. We dig into:
How leaders (and everyone) can use the “detente mindset” to build bridges, even when there’s conflict
Simple but effective things you can do to help people feel seen for who they really are—not just a label or a checkbox
Tune in if you want new perspective on diversity and practical tips that work both at work and in everyday life.
Connect With Thomas Becker
Website: https://thomasebecker.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasebecker
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Why This Matters
00:30 What Sparked Dr. Becker’s Book
02:38 Rethinking Cultural Competence
05:34 Whole Person Appreciation Explained
09:10 Leaders and Creating Belonging
12:34 The Impact of Inclusion & Exclusion
14:06 Moving from Slogans to Daily Practice
19:46 Lessons from Global and Remote Teams
22:49 How to Connect with Dr. Thomas Becker
23:36 Wrapping Up and Takeaways