Having served as a disabled US Navy Seabee during the Vietnam era that has studied human behavior, I have a clear understanding of how prejudice is masked in business and communities.

This January I saw it cloaked as patriotism. But, I see it every day among anemic hr people. Human resources have the ability to change the tenor of race, biases, and prejudices against all groups of an organization. However, HR is laced with bigots who subtlely propagate their own biases instead of honoring the code.

Listen to our Race at Work Reimagined: The Diversity and Inclusion Podcast here on Spotify

HR, learning and development, and recruiting managers should, above all else, be leaders. Rather than intent to catch people "messing up," turning their eyes on sexual harassment, strict policies to suppress ideation, and discouraging those who don't fit the culture, they must opt for a more flexible, collaborative approach. Work on their own personal mastery foremost.

To be an effective HR leader requires leading teams to success while supporting and encouraging each individual. You are to protect and to serve. Jim Woods Learn more www.woodskovalovagroup.com

About Jim Woods

Jim Woods has been a global diversity and inclusion expert since 1998. He advocates linking strategic interventions to bottom-line business results. He is a D&I innovator and respected thought leader, having written numerous leadership books and contributed to many publications on the subject of strategic diversity and inclusion and leadership solutions. As President and CEO of Woods Kovalova Group, he has had the privilege of working with clients that include Whirlpool, the U.S. Army, Homeland Security, Deseret Bank, Seimens, and myriad organizations and individuals everywhere.

He has taught fifth-grade math and science along with teaching human resources and leadership on the university level. Mr. Woods holds a bachelors’ degree in business administration and leadership. Including a master’s of science in organizational development and human resources.

He delights crowds as a speaker and is an accomplished children’s book author. Mr. Woods landed his second Fortune 1000 client while homeless living in his car. Work with Jim.