What does privilege in the workplace really look like? In this September Career Advice episode, Dr Luella Forbes and Associate Professor Michelle Gander unpack networks, money, time and access, why privilege is so hard to talk about, what you can do with it whether you have a lot of it or a little, and why comparing yourself to others rarely tells the full story.
Ever scroll past someone who seems miles ahead of you and wonder what you're doing wrong? This month, Luella and Michelle unpack why the answer is often about starting points, not effort.
"You actually can't compare yourself either way, right? Good or bad. Because you actually have no idea about where people have started from." Michelle Gander
Episode highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - What Luella and Michelle have been up to, from a career workshop at Flinders University to a Brisbane trip
06:09 - Luella's storytelling for change talk and how you can join
07:34 - Recapping Angela Bliss, Sally Richardson and Leanne Hughes
10:17 - Why privilege? What sparked the topic
11:21 - What privilege means, from nepotism to meritocracy
13:20 - Networks, money and time: the hidden advantages in careers
16:34 - Class, schooling and the idea of "inheritocracy"
20:26 - The equity picture: why the right help looks different for everyone
22:01 - Layers of privilege and intersectionality
24:25 - Why representation matters and "you can't be what you can't see"
27:32 - Looking at inputs as well as outputs, and the privilege walk exercise
32:08 - Networking in smaller cities and what it means for new graduates
33:53 - Working with what you've got, and borrowing influence
36:29 - Building inclusive workplaces and giving everyone the same chance to plan for change
41:25 - Comparison and starting points: why it's not worth measuring yourself against others
43:44 - Finding a role model instead
44:31 - Book of the month: Work Fame by Leanne Hughes
Resources and links
Episodes mentioned:
Angela Bliss: youtu.be/SqOnFnxltww
Sally Richardson: youtu.be/REvc2Toutps
Leanne Hughes: youtu.be/EHJzjVbxhRc
Elizabeth Shaw on diversity and inclusion: youtu.be/cZ34gflZiYY
Fadzi Whande on diversity and inclusion at the UN: youtu.be/m0M4m1CIr0Q
Books mentioned:
Work Fame by Leanne Hughes
Inheritocracy by Eliza Filby
Luella's Storytelling for Change webinar, 7 October: luellaforbes.com/webinar-storytelling
All opinions are the guest's own.
New episodes on a Wednesday, with interviews with leaders or experts every week and a monthly discussion on what we've heard in the last week of the month.
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts on recent episodes or questions you'd like Luella and Michelle to answer at [email protected].
Career Stories is hosted by Dr Luella Forbes, who works with organisations on leadership, change and storytelling. To find out how she can support your leaders and teams, visit luellaforbes.com/services
More about the podcast: luellaforbes.com/career-stories
Watch Career Stories on YouTube, and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Help other people find this podcast by subscribing in your podcast app and leaving a review.
