“I see hope, and I also see an opportunity for us to be strategic, going stealth mode, and be resourceful in the way that we do our work.” - Vivian Acquah
As we conclude the second season of the Global Inclusion in Practice podcast, we’re grateful for the enriching episodes in this series and inspiring guests from various corners of the world, and across the spectrum of DEI, sharing their stories, their perspectives, and their context.
What we appreciate about our conversations is that we talk about practical, pragmatic things and we also go deep. We are Vivian Acquah and Marjolijn Vlug, two women from different backgrounds coming with a supportive approach.
Embracing joy and laughing together is part of how we maintain the energy and optimism we need. The vibe that we create together informs a safe space, positive approach and strong stance in our collective growth.
The show notes for this episode are loaded, to provide you with inspiration!
You can read about this conversation below, but if you can, have a listen to the podcast audio (with the player above or in your podcast app) to hear the laughs and thoughtful silences, really connect with our vibe, pick up the energy that we create when we’re together, and more. We can’t always make all of that come across in the text.
We write this article to make the podcast accessible for people who don’t process information through audio - as a way to be inclusive - but if you can, listening gives you the richest and most complete experience.
We do all this to let you know you are supported, so that you feel this podcast gives you some oxygen for the work that you're doing, that you feel the love and that you can learn from so many other change makers who are doing similar work. This is about connecting across distances, across areas and fields, across experiences. The connection is the thing.
What is essential is that we are all human beings with a heart for inclusion and change-making.
“Let your heart bring joy, let your heart bring curiosity, let your heart bring connection, and sometimes an “oh, no no no” with truth from the heart.” - Marjolijn Vlug
We make sure that we interview different guests so that you get insights from different people. Our episodes span a range of areas, expanding our understanding of cultivating a world where inclusivity becomes deeply embedded.
Each conversation with our guests challenges us to broaden our perspectives and refine our approaches, offering new ways to think about inclusion.
Within the DEI landscape we need both a connection to community, and exposure to other perspectives, for a balanced route to personal, professional and collective growth. We provide different recipes and we collaborate with you and our guests to create that inclusive recipe that works well for you.
And we have a LOT of resources for you in this episode, and in the show notes below.
Part of what we address in this and each episode is connecting and checking in with yourself: everything that helps you keep going, to recharge and re-energize, to decompress in a way that fits you. Those emotions that get activated when you’re involved in DEI, you don't want all of that to stick around in your body. Whether you're happy, sad or angry or whatever emotion, we need an outlet.
“I've been more kind to myself to let myself enjoy more, whether it's music, whether it's exercise, whether it's going on a trip. I made a commitment with myself that when I'm outside, I want to make space to enjoy myself and to honor that I'm outside, that the sun is shining. You only have one life, right?” - Vivian Acquah
We discuss our thoughts on the anti DEI efforts that intensified in the past months following political pressure. In examining the current state of DEI initiatives globally, we delve into the rising anti-DEI movements especially in the United States, then zooming out to a global perspective. In reality this is a global development that we're all experiencing, whether in the US, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.
Marjolijn firmly believes that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice efforts will keep going, showing up in different ways and new iterations. Vivian notices that media attention often focuses disproportionately on one out of the eight companies that are walking away from diversity, equity and inclusion. From organizations that retreat from performative DEI initiatives we will soon see the business case develop of the negative impact on talent retention and financial bottom line.
There are so many more people that appreciate DEI efforts, views and principles. Organizations that continue to uphold these values, understanding the significant ethical and business benefits these practices bring. Forward-thinking leaders are increasingly acknowledging DEI.
“What I do see is that the 7 out of 8 companies that are still investing in Diversity Equity and Inclusion, they will win. And you will see that in the business as well: it will be an amazing business case on what (not) to do.” - Vivian Acquah
Despite these hurdles, we share a palpable sense of hope. This amplifies the call for self-care and resilience among DEI professionals, ensuring we maintain the effectiveness necessary to make a lasting impact.
I see hope, Vivian says, but also an opportunity for us to be strategic, going in stealth mode where needed, to be resourceful in the way that we do our work. In our podcast, we enjoy sharing influential voices who champion societal change and use their platforms to promote DEI causes; recently, Alicia Keys and Jane Fonda. They illustrate how we all can use our influence to effect positive change with their courage and dedication.
“Remember that we're doing this together. This is a collective thing. There are other people here in this mindset, in this view, to connect with, to recharge from. You are not one person who's being hopeless. We are a whole group of people with a duty to have hope and get creative.” - Marjolijn Vlug
Whenever you can't find it, just remember, hope is a duty, especially now. We put our courage and dedication to use for that, inspired by Austin Channing Brown.
And with that, so is the routine around taking care of yourself, recharging, putting the load down, minding your mental well, taking care of your body. This is an essential requirement to keep seeing the way forward. In order to stay creative and find new ways, restoring and recovering yourself needs to be a habit.
From the book The Four Agreements we learned: always do your best. Not more, not less. And what your best is, is something that might be different in each moment, depending on how much you've slept, on how busy you are, how the brain space you have. You want to do your best and find your focus on what the best course of action is.
The book The Anatomy of Peace has been hugely helpful for both of us as well. It presents a view on how you can get out of blame and negativity, and how you can find your way back to seeing people as human beings, as individuals, rather than non-playable characters in your life.
"Either you see people as people, or you see them as a non playable character. It is about seeing the person as the other person. Don’t disconnect so hard that you don't see them as a human anymore, that you see them as objects.” - Vivian Acquah
This is another way of getting back to your creative and connective side, and having more patience and calm, room for constructive approaches. That has a huge impact on your own resourcefulness, on caring for yourself and others.
“You can go for what you want and what you care about, take a stand for it and take no sh*t, and yet have a heart at peace. Have a heart and still be kind. That is essential, because otherwise you create more of what you don't want.” - Marjolijn Vlug
As we wrap up the second season, we're aware of the responsibility and depth of our work. Establishing an effective 'professional decompression', human-to-human connection and a strong support system is critical for DEI change makers worldwide to sustain our work.
Our gratitude goes out to every guest and listener who has been part of this vibrant journey so far. We look forward to continuing these insightful exchanges in the upcoming season.
Even when there are new and intense circumstances in our way, there will be steps forward. There's huge power in the collective, in doing things together. Connection matters. Let’s continue this path together, rooted in empathy and bolstered by our shared commitment to a more inclusive world.
See you next season!
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About Vivian:
Vivian Acquah, CDE®, is a Certified Inclusion Strategist dedicated to fostering high-performance environments where individuals feel valued, empowered, and equipped to thrive. With a strategic emphasis on breaking down systemic barriers to performance, she provides customised solutions to address the distinct challenges organisations encounter.
With a name that literally translates to 'water,' Vivian has become an extinguisher of fires related to inclusion, providing clients such as Heineken, LinkedIn, Google, Indeed, Deloitte, TIBCO, Cargill, Swift, Acrolinx, KLM and Zalando with tangible strategies for embracing inclusive changes.
About Marjolijn:
Marjolijn Vlug, a certified coach from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, specializes in partnering with DEI professionals, advocates and allies to create positive change and sustain their journey.
With clarity, integrity and warmth, she helps navigate the challenges of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work, fostering inner drive and leveraging strengths for lasting impact.
Empower Your Team with Actionable Inclusion Training by Vivian & Marjolijn
When your organization wants to elevate its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, consider hiring Vivian Acquah and Marjolijn Vlug, the dynamic hosts of the Global Inclusion in Practice Podcast.
Renowned for their expertise in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Vivian and Marjolijn bring an engaging and practical approach that resonates with teams at all levels. Their training offers more than just theoretical knowledge—it’s full of actionable strategies that empower organizations to create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
By tapping into their wealth of experience and fresh perspectives, your team will gain valuable insights and the tools to embed inclusion into the fabric of your workplace culture.
With Vivian and Marjolijn, prepare for impactful sessions that inspire real change.
Send a message via Substack via the button below or via LinkedIn.
Resources & references in this episode:
Articles:
Maximise Team Performance While Mitigating Organisational Risks
Deactivating DEI Initiatives Is a Business Risk – Here’s Why
“Hope is a duty”, from Austin Channing Brown’s Instagram reel and corresponding article The Shadow of Hope
Letter To A Young Activist During Troubled Times: We Were Made For These Times - Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Books:
Reach out for the book club, send a pm to Vivian Acquah
Amplify DEI Cards
Video:
Short video about the meaning of woke by Blair Imani
NPR resource about the meaning of woke
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