Abi Adamson: Breaking Down Barriers in the People Business

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com  Abi Adamson, founder of the Culture Partnership, shares her journey from a working-class background in London to becoming a leading voice in workplace culture and inclusion. Abby discusses her experiences with bias and elitism in hiring practices, the impact of name bias on job opportunities, and the importance of empathy in addressing workplace challenges. She emphasizes the need for organizational change and the role of psychological safety in fostering inclusive environments.  Abi shares her experiences with classism and racism in the workplace, detailing her journey from working in corporate environments to starting her own business. She discusses the challenges women of color face in HR dynamics, the importance of psychological safety in organizations, and the need for an authentic company culture. The conversation also highlights positive changes in workplace culture and Abi's aspirations for the future, including her desire to engage in more speaking opportunities and share her insights on culture and inclusion. Takeaways  Abby's background shaped her perspective on workplace culture.Experiences of bias can drive individuals to seek change.Name bias significantly affects job opportunities for people of color.Elitism in hiring practices limits diversity in organizations.Challenging the status quo requires strategic navigation.Organizational change often starts with small, incremental steps.Toxic work environments can be identified through early red flags.Empathy and awareness are crucial in addressing biases.Diversity in the workplace enhances creativity and innovation.Personal experiences can fuel professional passion and purpose. Classism can be as damaging as racism in the workplace.Starting a business was a response to negative experiences in corporate settings.Women of color often face unique challenges in HR dynamics.Psychological safety is crucial for employee well-being.Authenticity in company culture is essential for true inclusion.Positive changes in workplace culture are happening, but more is needed.Organizations must be open and honest about their cultural challenges.Diversity and inclusion initiatives should be genuine, not performative.Career advice: The magic is within you, and you are the MVP.If there's no seat at the table, build your own table.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Abby Adamson and Her Work 03:08 Abby's Journey into the People Business 05:59 Experiences of Bias in the Workplace 08:59 The Impact of Name Bias on Job Opportunities 11:57 Challenging Elitism in Hiring Practices 14:58 Navigating Organizational Change 17:48 Experiences in a Toxic Work Environment 24:53 Confronting Classism and Racism in the Workplace 25:56 The Decision to Start a Business 29:57 Experiences with HR and Workplace Dynamics 34:04 Creating Psychological Safety in Organizations 37:56 The Importance of Authenticity in Company Culture 44:00 Positive Changes in Workplace Culture 49:02 Future Aspirations and Career Advice