In Episode 12 of Sales Enabled, Dan is speaking with Sirita Donaldson, Head of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Finastra. Sirita is an award-winning leader in DE&I (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and in this conversation, they discuss the topic of diversity in sales teams. When it comes to hiring salespeople, many sales leaders opt for someone who can easily fit into the organisation and start to contribute to target quickly. However, this can quickly lead to one-dimensional sales teams that show little sign of diversity or inclusion. Instead, Sirita and Dan discuss why the future of sales success needs diversity, and what sales leaders can practically do to help create a culture of diversity and inclusion in their teams.

Some of the specific topics of this episode include:

• How you answer the question “who are you” identifies some of the labels we assign to people
• Why we need to be thinking “culture add” rather than “culture fit” when hiring
• What can sales leaders do practically to increase diversity and inclusion in their teams
• How you need to be INTENTIONAL about building a brand with the communities you want in your organisation
• Growth and comfort do not exist - why we need to get comfortable being uncomfortable if we are going to make a positive impact
• How anyone can become an “ally” and some of the specific actions people can take immediately to help make a difference

Please see the links below to some of the books and websites referenced in this podcast. 

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge 

Think Again - Adam Grant  

Harvard Implicit Bias Tests 

How to be an Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi

DE&I is a hugely important topic, not just in sales but in the business world in general, and the advice and ideas that Sirita shares in this episode are important for all sales leaders, today’s leaders as well as the leaders of tomorrow, need to hear. Please subscribe and share with anyone you feel needs to hear this advice.