Introduction and Journey into IO Psychology
Taryell Simmons: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another episode of Rise Urban Nation. I have Seatrice in the building. You know Seatrice is serious when you see her camera angle at this angle. What is the other angle, the fun angle?
Seatrice Grice: The other angle is day-to-day getting business done—my laptop versus webcam.
Taryell Simmons: We have the crispy webcam and we are going to get into all about your career journey, what you are up to, and the new year, new you vibe for 2023. For the people who do not know who Seatrice is, who is Seatrice?
Seatrice Grice: That is a fun question. I am Seatrice Grice. I live in Raleigh, though I have lived in many places over the years. My background is in industrial organizational psychology, which is the science of human behavior in the workplace. I am co-owner and Chief Consulting Officer of Mattingly Solutions, a woman-owned diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm. My business partner Victoria and I also co-wrote the book Inclusalytics: How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work.
Taryell Simmons: I have a copy at my office. Shout out to Victoria who connected us when we were both speakers at the inclusion conference in San Diego. How did you get introduced to the world of DEI and psychology?
Seatrice Grice: In high school, the only class I really enjoyed was psychology. I went into college knowing I wanted to major in psychology. I knew being a therapist was not the right path for me, so while studying in college, I discovered industrial organizational psychology. It brought together business and the humanistic approach of psychology. We spend the majority of our adult lives in the workplace, yet so many people dread Monday morning. IO psychology was my chance to help people have a better experience in the workplace and improve their lives while benefiting business.
Understanding Age and Generational Differences
Seatrice Grice: On the DEI side, my passion really came from studying age. In grad school, I learned that age as a protected class applies to individuals forty and older. That led me to examine generational myths. We often conflate generation and age. In 2020, I became our internal and external DEI expert at my previous role. Coworkers asked me questions, and I realized our organization was not practicing what we preached. I established a DEI council and organized events. Clients also wanted DEI survey items. Improving workplace experiences so people do not dread Monday morning is fundamentally DEI—creating an equitable environment with inclusive behaviors and a sense of belonging.
Taryell Simmons: That is needed more than ever. I was in a meeting bridging communication across four generations. Everyone was blaming the younger generation, but there were communication gaps across all generations.
Seatrice Grice: Generation relates to shared societal experiences, such as economic recessions or growing up with ubiquitous internet technology. However, when people claim younger generations want everything right away, that is often developmental age rather than generation. If you look back a century, older generations said the same things about twenty-year-olds.
Reflecting on 2022 and the Importance of Rest
Taryell Simmons: Looking back at the beginning of last year, what goals did you achieve or make progress on?
Seatrice Grice: Rather than rigid resolutions, I focus on big-picture priorities. In 2022, my primary professional focus was publishing our book and establishing Mattingly Solutions as a recognized brand. The book was received very well. On the personal side, I prioritized finding time outside work. I blocked two hours every day on my calendar dedicated solely to reading or sleeping. Midday naps give me a complete refresh for the second half of the day.
Taryell Simmons: Rest is revolutionary and restorative. It is so important to recharge. What are your thoughts on the phrase new year, new you?
Seatrice Grice: It can put undue pressure on people. For me, 2023 is about continuing the mission—spreading our core messaging that data in DEI is vital and inclusion is a behavior. If you made great progress, it is okay to embrace new year, same me and maintain your consistency and self-care.
Taryell Simmons: Consistency is key. Showing up consistently ensures you are ready when opportunities present themselves.
Networking and the Power of Authentic Community
Taryell Simmons: Which relationships meant the most to you this past year, and how do you plan to nurture them?
Seatrice Grice: One relationship that stands out is Lori Spicer Robertson. We met at an Opal Group marketing event. I heard her speak, resonated with her message, and connected with her afterward. She invited me to speak to her network of DEI leaders and later at her in-person conference. That event was exceptionally energizing and soulful because it brought together a predominantly Black community of DEI practitioners. We were able to be completely authentic, share lived experiences, and build genuine community without code-switching.
Taryell Simmons: Having spaces where you can show up as your authentic self is invaluable. Connecting with peers who understand the work sustains you.
Business Growth and Pivoting Through Challenges
Taryell Simmons: What did not go according to plan last year?
Seatrice Grice: We invested immense time and energy into developing our flagship product, the Mattingly Inclusion and Belonging Assessment. We set ambitious sales targets, but many organizations were not ready for deep survey data and the accountability that accompanies it, or they cited budget constraints. We had to pivot. Instead of assessment sales, our growth came through flexible partnership packages and strategy sessions. We doubled our revenue from the prior year. What seemed like a setback was actually a productive redirection.
Taryell Simmons: Many leaders fear collecting data because accountability requires action. Starting with listening sessions often helps ease leadership into understanding employee sentiment before diving deeper into quantitative assessments.
The Value of Travel and In-Person Connection
Taryell Simmons: What role does travel play in building relationships and professional growth?
Seatrice Grice: While much consulting can be done virtually, in-person touchpoints build deeper trust and make working relationships tangible. Meeting clients and attending conferences creates unexpected opportunities. On a personal level, travel pushes you outside your comfort zone and offers new perspectives.
Personal Goals, Therapy, and Setting Boundaries
Taryell Simmons: What does the upcoming year look like for you personally?
Seatrice Grice: I recently got engaged, so wedding planning for September is a major milestone. I also want to make time to visit extended family across the country in person. Professionally, I tend to over-prioritize work and volunteer commitments. I am implementing intentional scheduling to call family and friends and maintain healthy boundaries.
Taryell Simmons: Accountability and therapy are essential tools for self-care and decision making. Having an objective sounding board helps validate your direction.
Career Transitions and Knowing Your Worth
Taryell Simmons: What was your first job after grad school, and what lessons did you learn about career growth?
Seatrice Grice: My first job was with Org Vitality. I connected with the CEO at a SIOP conference booth in Raleigh. I started as a project manager, learned the business, and advanced into consulting. After four years, I recognized I was no longer growing. When Victoria approached me to co-own Mattingly Solutions, I took the leap. It was financially risky as a startup, but the opportunity for growth was worth the risk.
Taryell Simmons: What advice do you give to people who feel stuck in their careers?
Seatrice Grice: Change begins when you are self-aware about what you want. Assess whether you can grow internally by speaking with your manager. If growth opportunities do not exist internally, look outward. Ignoring dissatisfaction takes a physical and emotional toll on your wellbeing.
Entering the DEI Field and Career Advice
Taryell Simmons: What practical advice would you offer to someone aspiring to enter the DEI space?
Seatrice Grice: Build foundational knowledge by reading research and books. Network actively with practitioners through communities like DEI Offload. Get involved internally within your current organization by joining an Employee Resource Group (ERG) or DEI council to gain practical, hands-on experience.
Seatrice Grice: Life has also taught me the importance of celebrating milestones along the journey. When you are highly driven, it is easy to constantly chase the next goal without acknowledging what you have already accomplished.
The Future of DEI and Addressing Workplace Fear
Taryell Simmons: What does the future of the DEI industry look like, especially for practitioners of color?
Seatrice Grice: We are at a critical juncture where initial urgency is stabilizing. Gen Z is actively driving accountability, which provides hope. However, because systemic workplace challenges are deeply rooted, practitioners of color bear significant emotional weight. Community support and self-care are vital to prevent burnout.
Taryell Simmons: What does data tell us about why some corporate leaders hesitate to embrace DEI?
Seatrice Grice: Resistance often stems from fear—fear of losing status in a perceived zero-sum game, fear of legal liability, or fear of the unknown. Educating leaders with clear data and constructive storytelling helps reframe DEI as a shared benefit rather than a threat.
Current Initiatives and Resources
Taryell Simmons: What projects are you currently working on, and where can listeners connect with you?
Seatrice Grice: We recently launched our DEI-X Audit to Action tool to help organizations assess their DEI readiness and plan strategic next steps. Listeners can find me on LinkedIn, connect on Instagram @SashTrees, and find our book Inclusalytics on Amazon and at https://inclusalytics.com along with its companion workbook.
