Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: 2023 in Review
Welcome to another episode of Financially Naked: Stories from the Financial Gym! Today, Shannon, the Founder and CEO, joins Rachel for the last DEIB episode of 2023. As we reflect on our DEIB series for the year, Rachel and Shannon open up about the rewards and challenges of building a diverse team and why it is especially important for them as leaders at The Financial Gym.
Join us as we discuss the intricacies of fostering an inclusive environment and how to support employees once they're on your team. They talk about the unique perspectives diversity brings and the complexities of creating an inclusive space. Get ready for an honest and insightful conversation that explores the essential role of DEIB in learning how to shape an inclusive and safe workspace for everyone.
Podcast Notes
Shannon left the traditional financial advisory space years ago for many reasons, mainly the $250k asset minimum. She wanted to help people with less than that, so she started The Financial Gym. Being an entrepreneur was never her plan.
The Financial Gym welcomes clients of all financial shapes and sizes, and because of that, they have a very diverse mix of clients, which is different from most financial firms. Shannon has been in the industry for 23 years, and it is still predominantly dominated by white men.
When Shannon started hiring employees, the first ten were women. Finding men who were comfortable sitting with emotional clients was challenging for her.
Money brings up emotions, and the goal has always been to create a safe space for people to talk about it free of judgment. There is a wide spectrum of emotions clients experience.
Our client base is diverse, and to support them fully, it's important to hire Trainers from those same diverse backgrounds. We've always wanted to help as many people as possible become financially healthy, and a diverse team is a strong foundation.
Listening, Learning, & Growing
When building and supporting a diverse team, there may be instances where employees unintentionally bring past traumas into the workplace. These experiences may manifest in various ways and affect their work. It's important to be empathetic towards their experiences.
Don't shy away from having hard conversations. We are all human and make mistakes. The goal isn't to be perfect; rather, always be willing to listen, learn, and do better.
Creating a DEIB team at your company can be beneficial. Rachel leads the DEIB initiatives at The Gym, which includes their internal exercising empathy series and this series on the show.
DEIB is about learning, empathy, and improving what we can control every day. We might not get today correct, but as long as we learn, we can do better tomorrow.
Supporting a Diverse Team
We will never be able to fully understand the experiences of others, but it is our job to be empathetic and part of creating a safe space for everyone.
If you're a leader, check your ego at the door and remember each day is a learning opportunity.
If you are part of the hiring decisions in your company, focus on bringing in diverse talent. Once you have hired a diverse team, ensure they have the tools and resources needed to thrive in your workplace.
If you're not sure how to support an employee, ask them. Everyone has a unique experience, and what works for one person may be different from what someone else wants.
Be an open learner and remember to continuously learn, grow, and ask questions. You can be a supportive ally and educate others when you educate yourself.
The Team at The Financial Gym
All employees at The Financial Gym are encouraged to be their most authentic selves when meeting with clients. Money is a sensitive topic, and the clients like working with an actual human. This work involves a high level of trust.
Everyone is welcome to apply and work at The Financial Gym. Our team page looks very different from most other financial firms, but there is room to expand further.
The goal is to continue building a diverse team because it's important for the team and clients. We may not always be perfect, but we always try to look through a DEIB lens.
If you’re interested in working at The Financial Gym, get in touch! If you want to see the amazing folks who make up the team, meet them here!
If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com.
Resources
Meet The Leadership Team
Meet Rachel Adaline, HR Manager & DEIB Team Lead
Meet Shannon, Founder & CEO of The Financial Gym