Rhodes Perry is a bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and an internationally sought-after keynoter. He helps senior executives and people leaders build belonging at work by establishing psychological safety and trust. Nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) thought leader, he has over 20 years of leadership experience having worked at the White House, the Department of Justice, the City of New York and PFLAG National. Media Outlets like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press have featured his powerful work. Both of his books, Belonging at Work (2018) and Imagine Belonging (2022) debuted as #1 Amazon bestsellers and were published by Publish Your Purpose Press. He earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame, and a MPA from New York University. He currently serves on the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Transgender Inclusion Task Force, and the Cascade AIDS Project’s Board of Directors.

Key Takeaways

• When people share their identities and experiences with you, receive them with care

  
  



• Standing up and advocating for yourself paves the way for others to do the same

  
  



• Be aware of who you intentionally including and also who you might accidentally be discluding

  
  



• Push yourself out of your comfort zone to engage with many communities and people who identify differently than you

  
  



• When you notice that you’re uncomfortable, note where its happening in your body, and remember that learning happens just past the edge of your comfort zone

  
  



• At work it's important for everyone to have the agency to show up as authentically as they choose

  
  



• Pay attention to who’s speaking, whose ideas are considered and whose aren’t

  
  

Guest’s Media Recommendations:

• Disclosure (Documentary)

  
  

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Find Guest’s work:

• https://www.rhodesperry.com/

  
  

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For more of Michael’s work, visit our website www.incognitotheplay.com or follow us on Instagram @incognitotheplay

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Thanks to Ned Doheny for providing our podcast music! You can find him and his music on Spotify.

Editing and co-production of this podcast by Emma Yarger.

Email info@incognitotheplay.com with questions or comments about the show!