If Belonging Was a Party, Would You Be on the Invite List?

HR Nightmares

Welcome back to HR Nightmares, where every "growth opportunity" is just one awkward coaching conversation away from a full-blown crisis. In this episode, hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, Beth Looney, and guest, Lakesha McDay tackle one of the spiciest HR hot potatoes — embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into workplace culture. Spoiler alert: It’s more than just a catchy LinkedIn post.

HR isn't for the faint of heart, and neither is embedding DEI into your company’s DNA. But with intentionality, coaching, and a willingness to lead with hospitality (shoutout to Cameron Mitchell’s playbook), even the messiest workplace nightmares can have a happy ending.

Lakesha stresses that DEI should be woven into the organization’s fabric, not treated as a side project. Building psychological safety is key, encouraging employees to share perspectives without fear of repercussions. The Leath HR Group ladies highlight the "Buddy to Boss" journey, showing how leaders can transition from peer to manager through coaching, self-awareness, and understanding human communication styles.

They all explain how belonging in the workplace isn’t just "being on the team" but having a say in the plays being called. This requires intentional inclusion, not just surface-level gestures. Amy uses her Nordstrom experience to emphasize how frontline employees and customers often hold the answers leaders seek. Emotional intelligence, she notes, isn’t optional — it’s essential for effective leadership.

Pro tip: skip "HR Jams Vol. 1" and ask your people what playlist makes them feel at home.