A Deep Dive into Fairness at Work with Bestselling Author Siri Chilazi

Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

Join me for an engaging conversation with Siri Chilazi, a senior researcher at the Women in Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School, as we explore the crucial topic of fairness in the workplace. Together, we discuss the thoughtful process behind the title of her bestselling book, Make Work Fair, which emphasizes actionable steps to align workplace dynamics with fairness. Siri's expertise as a behavioral scientist provides valuable insights into how organizations can align their practices with their values and aspirations, ensuring inclusivity and equality. Having had the privilege to meet Siri in person at a CEO Mastermind event I recently hosted at Harvard University, I can attest to the powerful impact of her insights on an audience.

We unravel the complexities of meritocracy and fairness, diving into real-world examples where biases permeate hiring practices. Through audit studies, we uncover the disturbing reality that meritocracy often remains an ideal rather than a lived reality. Our conversation challenges these discrepancies, emphasizing the importance of clear dialogue and thoughtful intervention. We explore how small, behaviorally designed interventions, like a short video in a global firm, can significantly improve female and international representation, showcasing the power of targeted efforts in creating equitable opportunities.

This episode also touches on the strategic use of data to evaluate and address biases in hiring, urging a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement. We emphasize the collective responsibility for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the need to recalibrate efforts to avoid unintended consequences. Discover how by harnessing diverse talents and perspectives, we can build inclusive workplace cultures where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

What You’ll Learn

- The myths of meritocracy and the real biases affecting hiring practices.

- Innovative, behaviourally-designed interventions for fostering inclusivity.

- How grassroots initiatives can drive system-level change.

- The critical role of data in evaluating biases and the importance of continuous improvement.

- The need to recalibrate DEI efforts to avoid unintended consequences

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) - Make Work Fair: More Than A Title

(15:27) - Fairness in Workplace Practices

(30:06) - Meritocracy and Fairness in Organizations

(38:45) - Igniting Change Through Bottom-Up Approaches

(46:07) - Building Inclusive Workplace Cultures With Data

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Focus on Fairness, Make Work Fair, Inclusive Environments, Meritocracy, Overcoming Biases, Improving Hiring Practices, Audit Studies, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Grassroots Initiatives, Driving Positive Organizational Change, Leveraging Data, Unintended Consequences, Data-Driven Decisions, CEO Success