PERSPECTIVES by ESSENCE LEARNING, LLC

Diversity is the mixture of individuals with differences and similarities in their appearance, abilities, experiences, beliefs, thoughts, and perspectives. As America continues to move towards a more diverse workforce, this thought-provoking episode will explore whether respect is given or earned and challenge leaders to take a deeper look inside their workplace culture.

Like most things, the buzz phrase ‘Operating at Your Max’ can be perceived from various perspectives. During this discussion Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson will gain the insights of executive leaders, John Davidson, Katrina Freeman and Marci Anavitarte-Jordan as they share what it means to operate at your max! To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1929fa12-07e1-3e57-8e8f-8c1f3b9e70de

A successful organization is driven by results; and in order to generate results, a leader must commit to a strategy. A result-driven strategy establishes employee benchmarks, prioritizing goals which ultimately leads to organization profitability. Join Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson as she sits with leadership executives to discuss some best practices to keep leaders committed to their overall goal.

Join Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights in a candid conversation with senior leaders, Valerie Wilson, James Jacobs, and Phyllis Williams as they share the many lessons they have learned throughout their professional careers. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:fb8ca4b6-1b30-3b8d-b305-493f05999789

As the workforce continues to transition, younger generations are increasingly moving into senior executive leadership roles that Baby Boomers once occupied for decades. These newly opened senior positions have made for a more aggressive hiring pool as younger employees go after the roles they want. In this episode, join panelists Bryan McWhorter, Katrina Freeman, and Kanetra Hights as they share their career perspectives with Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson and give listeners insight on not only how to go after the role they want, but why they are pursuing it.

As the workforce continues to transition, younger generations are increasingly moving into leadership roles that older generations once occupied for decades. With this shift comes a “new way of doing business” for some organizations. Join Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams as she sits with a panel of executives to discuss this current move and its effect on the workplace. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:18117adc-91c6-32e7-a43a-45f4288fbbc9

At some point in the journey of leadership, fear, worry, and anxiety are a reality. Whether a result of workplace tension, layoffs, turn-overs, personal trauma, professional insecurities, or profit loss, successful leaders learn how to manage these challenges while effectively managing their teams. Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams invites Mindy G. Spigel, author of “There’s A Snake On My Head” to share effective strategies to minimize these distresses in leadership. To download this week's Key Learning Guide, go to: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ceaab6a6-c596-34ed-9de9-f1dfeded1609

During this 30-minute podcast, Essence Learning CEO, Valerie J. Wilson sits with Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Drew T. Jackson to discuss the keys to successful executive leadership. Click here to download Drew’s book, “The Executive Leaders Handbook”: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:39dfe2f6-f9e1-3bce-b392-8bd7412a7fe4 To download this Episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:b972102b-8c3a-3a27-8206-280

During this 20-minute episode, Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights welcomes Drew T. Jackson to “Perspectives” to share his professional journey and new book “The Executive Leaders Handbook – A Guide for the Daily Challenges of Leadership”. As an Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Drew has serviced companies such as Chick-fil-A, Lennox, Pinnacle Bank, and Habitat for Humanity, offering his keys to successful leadership. Click here to download Drew’s book, “The Executive Leaders Handbook”: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:39dfe2f6-f9e1-3bce-b392-8bd7412a7fe4 To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:3752e083-5da1-3b65-92e9-336221113ea4

Are all school systems treated equal? For this podcast, let’s use the working definition of “Equitable Education” as ‘the pursuit of creating an educational system that caters to students of all kinds and develops their educational experience accordingly.’ This means that no matter what a student’s background, language, race, economic profile, gender, learning capability, disability or family history, each student has the opportunity to get the support and resources they need to achieve their educational goals. Join Essence Learning, CEO Valerie J. Wilson as she sits with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Mary Duhart-Toppen, Director of K-12 & Justice, John Jacobs, and Assistant Director of DEI, Tait D. Brooks to discuss ‘Equity in Education’. We will also gain perspectives on staff diversity, federal policies, and funding within the education system. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:747985bd-a7eb-36c6-a73b-70d0937c38db

There is power in a diverse workforce. This 30-minute podcast focuses on the characteristics and formative life experiences of the five generations that are currently active in the workplace – specifically the Millennial generation and their impact in the workforce as the largest age group in the US Labor Force. Join Essence Learning, Kanetra Hights, and executive leaders Tait D. Brooks, Kati Uminski, and John Troy Jacobs as they discuss how the Millennial's presence has shifted the workplace culture. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, click here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:81039215-d059-30d0-8ee7-d97ec38d60e7

Essence Learning hosted a previous podcast (Episode 5) “Mentoring in the Workplace from Male Perspectives”. This was an opportunity for participants to gain insight, from the male perspective into the benefits of connecting with leaders for inspiration and mentorship. During this two-part podcast, we will continue the conversation and expand the perspectives on reverse mentorship, cross-gender mentorship, and the roles senior executives play in leading the next generation in the workplace. We will also offer listeners tips on finding a mentor or becoming a mentor. These perspectives tie into a broader conversation around leadership development in the workplace. We will encourage the audience to learn more from Essence Learning training solutions, “The Power of Influence”, “Essence of Me” and “The Essence of Respect in the Workplace”. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1791d595-5afa-3359-84f8-7ae75ee83341

Essence Learning hosted a previous podcast (Episode 5) “Mentoring in the Workplace from Male Perspectives”. This was an opportunity for participants to gain insight, from the male perspective into the benefits of connecting with leaders for inspiration and mentorship. During this two-part podcast, we will continue the conversation and expand the perspectives on reverse mentorship, cross-gender mentorship, and the roles senior executives play in leading the next generation in the workplace. We will also offer listeners tips on finding a mentor or becoming a mentor. These perspectives tie into a broader conversation around leadership development in the workplace. We will encourage the audience to learn more from Essence Learning training solutions, “The Power of Influence”, “Essence of Me” and “The Essence of Respect in the Workplace”. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1791d595-5afa-3359-84f8-7ae75ee83341

As leaders, we at times try to control people and projects to generate the best outcomes, when in actuality there is only one person we can control – Ourselves! Join executive leadership coach David Porter as he shares how to accelerate a leader’s personal development with Essence Learning’s Kanetra Hights. Expand your circle of influence and increase the depth and breadth of your leadership by jumping into this 30-minute episode. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:8b23cce1-300e-357e-ba92-45f91b7c5544

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a record-breaking 5.4 million new businesses were formed in the United States last year. Within this 30-minute podcast entrepreneurs Ericka Johnson, Raquel Bonds, and Kiotti Coquillian will discuss this recent entrepreneurial boom and share [spiritual] insight into minding your own business, specifically from the perspectives of a black, woman-owned business. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:d9e5ab6b-02f5-34c4-a452-000b3823b366

There is power in a diverse workforce. This 30-minute podcast focuses on the characteristics and formative life experiences of the five generations that are currently active in the workplace. Join Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson, and executive leaders Ruben Gonzales, Kati Uminski, and Jo A. Waters as they discuss how the diverse presence of each generation has shifted the workplace culture. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the link below: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:59a8b324-f07e-358d-9f3e-6b5ca75db32b

Essence Learning CEO, Valerie Wilson welcomes Principal Leadership Consultant, M. Elizabeth Holmes, Global DEI Leader, Ruben Gonzales, and Chief Solutions Officer and DEI Expert, April Thomas to the table to discuss the evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. As some of the world’s leaders in DEI, the panelist will explore the roots of diversity, founded in the 1960s civil rights movement, and journey through its most recent historic advancements. This episode is designed to educate listeners and inspire leaders to continue to move the DEI journey rapidly forward for generations to come.

In Essence Learning’s June 2022 issue of the Perspective newsletter, our featured article “America Is Now Hiring: What Works In 2022”, starts by stating “In his 2022 State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden declared that “it’s time for Americans to get back to work”. With a record number of 47.4 million Americans quitting their jobs in 2021 amid the ongoing “Great Resignation,” employers are now flexing their flexibility muscles in order to stay competitive and retain talent. Attempting to dim the bright “Now Hiring” sign, employers are investing more in their employees by offering robust benefits packages, greater signing bonuses, 401(k) matches, and remote work flexibility. Even with these favorable incentives, Fortune Magazine still reports that nearly 50% of small business owners have job openings that can't be filled, and some 93% of those trying to hire report few or no qualified applicants for their open positions. So, what works in 2022?” In this 30-minute learning experience, we will explore various ways leaders are investing in their employees. The panel of HR and recruitment experts will share what qualified employees are pursuing in today’s workforce so organizational leaders can not only attract them but retain them by investing in them properly. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the link below: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:bf84b478-dfb8-341b-bb30-dbf3f4d7f58a

Women currently make up the majority of the workforce at 52%. However, according to McKinsey & Company, for every 100 men promoted to a managerial role, only 85 women advanced to the same position. This gap was even larger for women of color as only 71 Latinas and 50 Black women received a promotion. Consequently, women remain underrepresented at the managerial level holding just 30% of manager positions, while men account for 62%. Join Kanetra Hights as she explores this ongoing gender and racial gap with CEOs Abigal Moore, Ivette Mayo, and Valerie Wilson. To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the link below: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:7168f710-18d1-360a-aa39-b9dfddf24039

Championed as the ‘Father of Diversity’, Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. introduced the world to the Giraffe and Elephant who lived in the same neighborhood. Published over 20 years ago, Thomas’ book, “Building a House for Diversity”, offers strategies for the workforce that remain foundational principles today. This episode’s round table of leaders includes Dr. Roosevelt Thomas’ daughter and Chief Solutions Officer, April Thomas; Executive Leadership Coach, Ivette Mayo; Human Resources Manager, Trisha Cantu; and Leadership and Success Director, John Jacobs. Essence Learning’s Phyllis Williams will draw from her extensive DEI experience and invite the podcast guest and listeners to take a closer look inside the house built for diversity and learn from each other’s perspectives. Giraffe and Elephant Resources: To read the fable, please click: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:82991190-9435-3a90-adc1-7922e3f0f65c To listen to the fable, please click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKkS2CDLbLk To download this episode's Key Learning Guide, please click the link below: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:7168f710-18d1-360a-aa39-b9dfddf24039