Sergeant Major Donald Cleveland is a native of Houston, Texas, and is a graduate of the University of North Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree. Sergeant Major Cleveland retired from the military with 33 years of service. Sergeant Major. Cleveland has trained and mentored over 100 Soldiers throughout his military career.

Sergeant Major Cleveland has been awarded numerous military awards throughout his career. One of Sergeant Majors, greatest highlights was being included in a book entitled 100 Sergeant Majors of Color, and being selected for the Presidential Life Achievement Award. 

Sergeant Major Cleveland resides in Houston with his wife, Renee. His children, Joy, Ashley, and Christopher enjoy traveling, sports, and playing golf. 

 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Sergeant Major Donald Cleveland discuss:

• How diversity makes better teams 

• Learning to adapt to diversity 

• Listen with intention 

• Point

Key Takeaways: 

• To make an effective team, everybody needs to adopt the mindset of a team player. Being a team player means understanding and adapting to the diversity around you. 

• People have a different starting point when it comes to the journey of adapting to diversity. If you are finding it difficult to grasp or accept some concepts, then give yourself grace and keep learning. 

• Listen actively and with intention. Listening well is key to building deep relationships with people and building relationships is the key to adapting to diversity in the workplace. 

 

“We depend on others. We work as a team. There's no place for not accepting diversity. That's one of the core values of the military. Because we have to be all together as one.” - Sergeant Major Donald Cleveland

 

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KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.