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Redefining DEI and Civility in the Workplace with Dyann McDowell
DEI is Broader Than Just Race - Dyann McDowell emphasizes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t only about race—it includes disability, body type, age, religion, and more. Creating inclusive workplaces means considering everyone’s needs.
Eric here. I sit down with Dyann McDowell, a seasoned HR professional and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert with over 25 years of experience. Dyann shares her journey from traditional HR training to her pivotal role in DEI—well before it became a mainstream corporate focus.
Together, we talk about the most pressing challenges facing today’s workplaces: the evolving meaning of DEI beyond race, the resurgence of incivility, and why genuine inclusion and civility are more critical than ever.
Dyann brings a fresh, honest perspective on what’s working and what isn’t in DEI, highlighting the danger of divisive tactics and the importance of true conversation and curiosity. She draws from personal and professional stories—from lessons on privilege to the very real impacts of workplace culture—to illustrate how organizations can move past surface-level initiatives and create truly welcoming, high-performing environments.
Hear more about Dyann's latest project, “Civility Unleashed,” a new framework designed to help organizations not only address but transform toxic workplace behavior, build accountability, and foster real, sustainable change.
If you’re passionate about the future of work—or just want to be inspired by a candid, solutions-oriented leader—this episode is a must-listen.
Here are three key takeaways that stood out to me:
- DEI Goes Beyond Race: Dyann emphasizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just about race. True DEI means considering all forms of difference—ability, size, age, gender, and more—to ensure everyone feels like they belong and can contribute fully.
- Civility Is a Business Necessity: The rise of toxic workplace behaviors and incivility isn’t just a social or moral issue—it’s a bottom-line problem. Dyann shares that only 16% of today’s workforce is actively engaged, and uncivil behavior is a top driver of disengagement and turnover. Building a respectful, civil culture is non-negotiable for organizational success.
- Curiosity and Civil Discourse Matter: One of the most compelling parts of the discussion was the urgency to bring back curiosity and civil discourse. Dyann advocates for workplaces where difficult conversations happen with empathy and openness, rather than judgment or division. “If we’re not opening up the conversation, then we’re not advancing.”
Key Moments
04:12 DEI's Future Post-Election Analysis
06:31 "Glasses and Unfair Blame"
10:33 Generational Privilege and Education
13:20 Debate Over Wilson School Naming
17:20 Reevaluating Affirmative Action Beliefs
19:41 Misconceptions About DEI
22:32 "Curiosity Deficit's Societal Impact"
27:42 "Six-Second Rule in Decision-Making"
29:20 Rise in Workplace Misconduct Cases
34:33 "Superstars' Behavior Excused at Work"
35:39 Leadership's Impact Flows Downward
44:50 Owning Mistakes with Grace
45:44 Empowering Employees Against Microaggressions
48:55 "Empowering Employees Through Constructive Dialogue"
52:45 "Understanding Emotional Intelligence"
55:54 "Leaning In to Listen and Learn"
59:11 "Divine 3 AM Mosaic Vision"
Dyann McDowell is a powerhouse in the world of Human Resources and Training. As the President and HR Business Partner at Training Marbles, Inc., a company revolutionizing HR Consulting and training. With a mission to elevate conversations and exceed expectations, Dyann transforms complex HR policies into engaging, understandable training programs.
She's a strategic thinker who creates and implements high-performance solutions that directly impact growth, engagement, and compliance. Known for her thought-provoking insights, she helps others contemplate the changes necessary to achieve success.
Spirit of EQ
In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at [email protected], or go to their website, Spirit of EQ.
You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player.
New episodes are available on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays every month!
Please review our podcast on iTunes. Click on the link for an easy, step-by-step tutorial.
Music from Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper
License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care.
Mentioned in this episode:
SEQ Development Report
The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life.
To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at [email protected] and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey.
Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ
This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.
View all episodes
By Eric Pennington and Jeff East
5
2121 ratings
DEI is Broader Than Just Race - Dyann McDowell emphasizes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t only about race—it includes disability, body type, age, religion, and more. Creating inclusive workplaces means considering everyone’s needs.
Eric here. I sit down with Dyann McDowell, a seasoned HR professional and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert with over 25 years of experience. Dyann shares her journey from traditional HR training to her pivotal role in DEI—well before it became a mainstream corporate focus.
Together, we talk about the most pressing challenges facing today’s workplaces: the evolving meaning of DEI beyond race, the resurgence of incivility, and why genuine inclusion and civility are more critical than ever.
Dyann brings a fresh, honest perspective on what’s working and what isn’t in DEI, highlighting the danger of divisive tactics and the importance of true conversation and curiosity. She draws from personal and professional stories—from lessons on privilege to the very real impacts of workplace culture—to illustrate how organizations can move past surface-level initiatives and create truly welcoming, high-performing environments.
Hear more about Dyann's latest project, “Civility Unleashed,” a new framework designed to help organizations not only address but transform toxic workplace behavior, build accountability, and foster real, sustainable change.
If you’re passionate about the future of work—or just want to be inspired by a candid, solutions-oriented leader—this episode is a must-listen.
Here are three key takeaways that stood out to me:
- DEI Goes Beyond Race: Dyann emphasizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just about race. True DEI means considering all forms of difference—ability, size, age, gender, and more—to ensure everyone feels like they belong and can contribute fully.
- Civility Is a Business Necessity: The rise of toxic workplace behaviors and incivility isn’t just a social or moral issue—it’s a bottom-line problem. Dyann shares that only 16% of today’s workforce is actively engaged, and uncivil behavior is a top driver of disengagement and turnover. Building a respectful, civil culture is non-negotiable for organizational success.
- Curiosity and Civil Discourse Matter: One of the most compelling parts of the discussion was the urgency to bring back curiosity and civil discourse. Dyann advocates for workplaces where difficult conversations happen with empathy and openness, rather than judgment or division. “If we’re not opening up the conversation, then we’re not advancing.”
Key Moments
04:12 DEI's Future Post-Election Analysis
06:31 "Glasses and Unfair Blame"
10:33 Generational Privilege and Education
13:20 Debate Over Wilson School Naming
17:20 Reevaluating Affirmative Action Beliefs
19:41 Misconceptions About DEI
22:32 "Curiosity Deficit's Societal Impact"
27:42 "Six-Second Rule in Decision-Making"
29:20 Rise in Workplace Misconduct Cases
34:33 "Superstars' Behavior Excused at Work"
35:39 Leadership's Impact Flows Downward
44:50 Owning Mistakes with Grace
45:44 Empowering Employees Against Microaggressions
48:55 "Empowering Employees Through Constructive Dialogue"
52:45 "Understanding Emotional Intelligence"
55:54 "Leaning In to Listen and Learn"
59:11 "Divine 3 AM Mosaic Vision"
Dyann McDowell is a powerhouse in the world of Human Resources and Training. As the President and HR Business Partner at Training Marbles, Inc., a company revolutionizing HR Consulting and training. With a mission to elevate conversations and exceed expectations, Dyann transforms complex HR policies into engaging, understandable training programs.
She's a strategic thinker who creates and implements high-performance solutions that directly impact growth, engagement, and compliance. Known for her thought-provoking insights, she helps others contemplate the changes necessary to achieve success.
Spirit of EQ
In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at [email protected], or go to their website, Spirit of EQ.
You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Android, or on your favorite podcast player.
New episodes are available on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays every month!
Please review our podcast on iTunes. Click on the link for an easy, step-by-step tutorial.
Music from Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/deeper
License code: PEYKDJHQNGSZXDUE
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
We hope you enjoy the podcast. Hopefully, you're tuning in on a regular basis. We'd love it if you would give us a great review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It's so appreciative and helps us as we try to get more exposure for the work we do and the episodes that we publish. We're grateful to you as a listener. Secondly, our content is for educational purposes only. It's not intended by any stretch to diagnose or treat anything that may be occurring in your life or anyone else's life that you may be connected to through the podcast. And as always, we look forward to the next time that we're together. Take care.
Mentioned in this episode:
SEQ Development Report
The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life.
To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at [email protected] and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey.
Thanks for listening to Spirit of EQ
This podcast was created to be a tool to primarily help you to discover and grow your EQ. Science and our own lived experiences confirm that the better we are at managing our emotions, the better we're going to be at making decisions. Which leads to a better life. And that's something we all want. We're glad that you've taken the time today to listen. We hope that something you hear will lead to a breakthrough. We'd really appreciate a review on your podcast platform. Please leave some comments about what you heard today, as well as follow and subscribe to the podcast. That way, you won't miss a single episode as we continue this journey.