High-Level Summary
In this episode of Rise Urban Nation, host Taryell Simmons interviews industrial organizational psychologist and entrepreneur Seatrice Grice on transforming workplace cultures through data-informed inclusion. Seatrice shares how applying behavioral science, embracing strategic business pivots, and addressing organizational fear enable sustainable DEI progress. The discussion underscores the vital role of intentional rest and community building in achieving long-term professional resilience.
Key Takeaways
Behavioral science and data provide the foundation for identifying inequities, driving leadership accountability, and enhancing the employee workplace experience.
Age-related development is often misidentified as generational conflict, requiring leaders to reexamine assumptions about younger employees.
Strategic business resilience comes from recognizing when to pivot service offerings in response to market readiness rather than forcing adoption.
Rest and boundary management are essential leadership practices that safeguard mental wellbeing and prevent burnout in demanding fields.
Detailed Outline & Topic Breakdown
Origins in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Seatrice explains how her early interest in psychology evolved into industrial organizational psychology, allowing her to merge business strategy with human-centered workplace improvements.
Deconstructing Age and Generational Stereotypes
The conversation explores why generational stereotypes often confuse biological maturity with cultural eras, emphasizing the need for open intergenerational dialogue.
Prioritizing Rest and Rejecting Resolution Pressure
Seatrice discusses moving away from rigid annual resolutions to focus on consistent daily habits, including non-negotiable two-hour rest blocks.
The Power of Authentic Professional Community
Reflecting on her connection with Lori Spicer Robertson, Seatrice highlights the importance of safe, culturally affirming spaces for diversity practitioners.
Pivoting Business Strategy for Record Growth
Mattingly Solutions doubled annual revenue by adapting their business model to offer flexible strategy sessions when diagnostic assessments met client hesitation.
Career Self-Awareness and Calculated Risk Taking
Seatrice shares practical guidance on evaluating workplace satisfaction, communicating with supervisors, and embracing entrepreneurship when growth stalls.
Overcoming Organizational Fear Around DEI Metrics
The discussion examines how fear of losing advantages or facing liability slows DEI adoption, showing how constructive data storytelling builds buy-in.
Memorable Quotes
"Improving the workplace experience for people so we're not dreading Monday morning—that is DEI." — Seatrice Grice
"Sometimes our failures aren't really failures as much as just redirections." — Seatrice Grice
"When opportunity presents itself, you ain't got to get ready because you've been ready." — Taryell Simmons
Resources, Tools, & Recommendations Mentioned
Inclusalytics: How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work: Book co-authored by Seatrice Grice and Victoria Mattingly (https://inclusalytics.com).
Mattingly Solutions: Diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm offering assessments and strategy services.
DEI-X Audit to Action: Organizational readiness assessment framework by Mattingly Solutions.
DEI Offload: Professional community and mental health support network founded by Dr. Sam Ray.
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP): Professional organization and annual conference for IO psychologists.
Blogilates: Fitness community and workout program created by Cassey Ho.
