Authenticity

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In this episode of “The Pulse Experience” hosted by Edward J. Beltran, the guest Chantell Brandt, a certified coach, discusses the power of authenticity in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) conversations. The focus is on a challenging situation faced by a middle school administrator in a lower socioeconomic DI school district. The administrator, who has a diverse family of her own, was caught between being authentic and respecting the process when handling a sensitive DE&I issue involving two students and a concerned parent.

Chantell emphasizes the importance of authenticity in building trust and addressing systemic inequalities within DE&I. The lack of authenticity can lead to a loss of trust, revenue, and even legal action. She highlights the need to go beyond surface-level conversations and work towards creating a fair and inclusive environment.

The administrator felt trapped and unable to make the situation real for the stakeholders due to privacy and policy constraints. Chantell helps her gain self-awareness and understand the impact of social exclusion on the parent and the attacked student. They explore the administrator’s feelings of victimization and the parent’s perception of her.

Using the Pulse coaching approach, Chantell guides the administrator through accountability and confronting the situation head-on. They examine tangible and intangible results, and the administrator realizes the importance of taking responsibility for making a difference. The confrontation model is presented as a positive approach to address the issue and bridge gaps, rather than attacking the person involved.

Authenticity is essential in DE&I conversations. Leaders must navigate the challenges of authenticity and conflicting processes to create inclusive environments. The coaching intervention showcased in this episode exemplifies how self-awareness, accountability, and skillful confrontation can lead to meaningful resolutions and positive change.