Have you ever felt challenged or questioned because of your race? In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma Lieberman welcomes Shari Dunn, author of Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work.
Explore how race affects perceptions of competence and the real-world impacts of systemic racism in the workplace. You’ll understand how racist competency checks can impede merit-based hiring. With personal anecdotes and historical insights, Shari Dunn sheds light on how people of color, especially Black women, face unfair scrutiny and bias in their professional lives. Discover why it’s crucial to talk about race, debunk myths of a colorblind society, and take actionable steps toward creating inclusive work cultures. Tune in for a heartfelt and informative cross-race discussion and hear what we can do to unite and bring people together across differences. Learn more about this important topic and share this episode to help grow the conversation.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:53 Meet Shari Dunn: Author of ‘Qualified’
02:05 Shari Dunn’s Varied Career Background
03:19 The Concept of Competency Checking
03:58 The Importance of Discussing Race
04:26 Historical Context and Colorblindness
06:51 Merit-Based Society: Fact or Fiction?
08:39 Personal Experiences and Systemic Barriers
19:40 The Toll of Racism on Health
22:20 Examples of Competency Checking
29:03 The Cost of White Supremacy
30:29 The Exercise: Labels and Leadership
32:13 The Great Man Theory of Leadership
33:56 Imposter Syndrome and Workplace Dynamics
35:13 The Danger of Misplaced Leadership
38:13 White Supremacy’s Impact on White People
39:52 Stories of Competency Checking
47:31 The Concept of Whiteness and Blackness
50:51 Actions to Combat Competency Checking
54:14 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Guests Bio:
Shari Dunn is a polymath, an accomplished journalist, and a former attorney, news anchor, CEO, and university professor.
She is an American Leadership Forum Fellow and has been awarded the prestigious Executive of the Year Award in 2018, the 2019 Women of Influence Award (Portland Business Journal), the Associated Press Award for Best Spot News, and the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association Award for Best Morning News Show. Her work has been cited in the Wall Street Journal and quoted in TIME and Fast Company among others. Shari is also a sought-after speaker. She holds a BA in philosophy from Marquette University and a JD from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
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Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, Everyday Conversations on Race.
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences.
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
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