Just One Q

How should people and organizations approach the task of indigenizing or decolonizing their services? It starts with a willingness and openness to engage and build relationships. Be intentional, humble, prepared, and respectful when engaging with Indigenous individuals and communities. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Christine Platt, the Geriatric Systems Implementation F...

How can organizations move past performative allyship and engage in anti-racism and equity work 365? In this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne is joined by Colleen James to discuss performative allyship at an organizational level and how to engage in anti-racism and equity work 365. Former host Melissa Horne chats with guest Colleen James, an educator, DEI consultant, and founder of Divonif...

What are the impacts of silence and how can we unlearn it? We usually turn to soft skills training as a remedy for the lack of belonging, psychological safety, and communication in a workplace. But often, silence is the hidden layer underpinning all of these issues. Organizations should work to identify, acknowledge, and dismantle cultures of silence that disproportionately affect people with subo...

As we enter the holiday season, this replay of Just One Q is especially relevant. Our former host Dr. Melissa Horne chats with Executive Director of Encounter World Religions, Dr. Brian Carwana. They discuss the importance of religious literacy in the workplace and how being intentional about incorporating religious inclusion in DEI efforts is essential to creating a welcoming space where employee...

How Can Mindfulness Shape Our Approach to Work? The simple act of stopping and becoming aware of our beliefs and preconceived notions is a powerful tool to help us relate to ourselves and to others. In the workplace, this can lead to better mental health, a greater sense of belonging, and improved capacity for decision making. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Peter Hua...

How should non-Indigenous people carry Truth and Reconciliation into the rest of the year? It’s going to take time and commitment to follow the path of reckoning with our pasts as we move forward with building relationships that foster reconciliation. After some self reflection, a good starting point is to reflect on the principles of reconciliation and how they apply to your workplace and communi...

How can we learn to use inclusive language at work? Most of our language is produced on autopilot – we’re so busy thinking about what we want to get across that we often lose sight of how we’re phrasing it. Dr. Wertheim’s six principles of inclusive language offers a positive framework to help people mindfully and confidently choose inclusive language in any context. Instead of relying on dos and...

How can the lens of Oppression enrich workplace wellness initiatives? An oppression lens can help to expose the root causes of compassion fatigue, burnout, and trauma that are often overlooked in mainstream wellness initiatives. Considering structural causes can help us design more targeted and effective options alongside the typical practices and activities. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominiq...

Be open to the transformative power of queer cultural values in your leadership practice at work and in your community. As a broad group, the queer community is thriving despite constant changes, threats, and challenges to its existence. The collective cultural values of queer people can shine a light on how leaders in all spheres can navigate and transform the current social and political climate...

How can DEI withstand changes to Affirmative Action? While the legal challenges to Affirmative Action are bad news, they’re not the end of the road for DEI. As DEI practitioners, we can overcome this wave of political resistance and stick to the path. We can continue to build inclusive organizational cultures. Our toolbelt includes the visible commitment of leaders, support for employee resource g...

How can we address systemic racism at the municipal level? Going out into the community to listen is the critical first step. With input gathered from more inclusive forms of engagement, we can start to apply an equity lens to the evaluation of all policies and programs. Positioning DEI at the centre of policy and decision-making, we can create safe spaces for everyone to engage, connect, and enjo...

How should workplaces accommodate people through menopause? If we want to move the needle on the number of women in leadership roles and maintain their contributions to the workplace, we have to destigmatize peoples’ experiences of menopause. Open conversations, flexibility, clear policies, and personalized accommodations can help support people through menopause.   On this episode of Just One Q,...

Can assessment tools like CliftonStrengths contribute to a DEI culture? With the guidance of a skilled facilitator, these tools can be a valuable foundation to help create a positive culture in which employees can see strengths in each other regardless of identity, gender, and ability. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with Micah Lorenc, an ICF Certified Coach, Gallup-Certified Clifto...

How can leaders adapt to the demands of DEI work? DEI leaders often face “DEI fatigue” and burnout as they work with stretched resources, a lack of data, and low buy-in from other leaders. The good news is that it’s possible to adapt and to thrive in spite of these challenges. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Rebecca Sutherns, a strategic analyst, Certified Professiona...

Can you articulate your approach to DEI work? The ability to articulate your approach is a critical first step to bringing more rigour to DEI work. On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Sharon Nyangweso, the Founder and CEO of QuakeLab, a full-stack equity and justice agency. Their conversation focuses on how rigour is necessary to challenge the status quo in DEI work and the i...

How can we create more accessible workplaces through our language? On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Sydney Butler, an HR Professional, Speaker, DEIB Facilitator, Accessibility & Neurodiversity Consultant, and Founder of Accessible Creates. They highlight the importance of nurturing neurodiverse talent and some specific and positive practices to create more accessible workp...

Where have we come from & what have we learned? On this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne reflects on what she has learned from years of hosting Just One Q as she passes the baton to a brand new host, Dominique Attrell. Dominique, a DEI advocate and educator, chats about her own journey to DEI work and reflects on how her background in geography and social sciences informs her approach to D...

What do employers need to know to better attract and retain neurodiverse employees? Wanda Deschamps explains the need for neurodiversity in the workplace and shares steps employers can take to better attract and retain neurodiverse employees. By encouraging participation from the neurodiverse population within your business, your organization will be able to learn new ways of thinking from a gener...

Do organizations need to prepare themselves to launch successful DEI initiatives? Kalyn Wilson says yes! On this replay of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne chats with the founder and managing partner of Dream Forward Consulting and Coaching, Kalyn Wilson. They dive into why many DEI initiatives are unsuccessful, and what companies can do to better prepare themselves. Keep Up with Kalyn: https://www.l...

How do we cope with the crisis of women's inequity in the workplace and what can companies do to mitigate this in the future? The pandemic has not only affected a huge part of our lives, it has also exposed some of the underlying challenges that have existed for many years, one of which is women’s inequity. From managing family health, to caring for children, or choosing whether to work from home...

Is it possible to interweave IDEA and well-being practices into leadership development and coaching? Victoria Rodgers says yes! On this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne chats with guest Victoria Rodgers, an IDEA Strategy Consultant & Facilitator for CenteredSoul Consulting. Their conversation focuses on the ways that leaders can start to incorporate the practices of IDEA and well-being int...

Is there more that aspiring allies and advocates can do when it comes to personal accountability? Camille Dundas says yes! On this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne chats with guest Camille Dundas co-founder of byblacks.com and principal educator at The IDEA Practice. Camille shares with listeners why personal accountability is a cornerstone in the practice of allyship and practical ways th...

Is it possible to embed sustainable DEI practices within organizations? Kobena-Marcus J. Collins says yes!   In this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne and Kobena-Marcus J. Collins – a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging professional – discuss the five key areas that organizations need to invest in and focus on in order to create sustainable DEI practices within their organizations.   K...

Adriana founded ALG Consulting and is now a global gender consultant, facilitator and trainer, writer and speaker committed to building safer, gender equitable, caring, and inclusive workplaces and organizations free of sexual harassment and gender-based violence.   Adriana delivers global workshops, sexual harassment and violence policy and reporting processes development, implementation coaching...

Is it time to re-think our understanding of equity? Minal Bopaiah says yes! On this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne and Minal Bopaiah - founder and Principal Consultant of Brevity & Wit dive deeper into the topic of equity. Minal breaks down why equity is often the most misunderstood piece in diversity, equity and inclusion practices within organizations. She also provides a new way of th...