We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Syrine Amia Reese-Gaines a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Syrine Amia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?
Growing up in corporate America, as a young African American woman, it was hard to find a place where I belonged. I began my career in marketing, advertising, and healthcare. During the 1990s-early 2000s, I rarely saw myself represented in decision-making roles.
Often I felt invisible, although, I was always well liked because I was ambitious and dedicated. Frequently, I felt the need to assimilate and take on the culture of the majority. I tried hard to blend in but always felt out of place. Back then, I had no understanding of “inclusion.” I just knew I rarely felt included in these spaces. The culminating idea was focusing my work on ensuring that organizations and the people making the decisions understood that how I felt was multiplied by the thousands- at that point, for me, this was when the birth of “creating more inclusive workplaces” came to life.
Dr. Syrine Amia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Very early in my career I realized there was an opportunity to give identity to people who were different than what most considered “normal.’ An accumulation of 30 years of education, engaging, leadership, communicating, and understanding erupted into the person I am today. I identify as a female African American entrepreneur who focuses on empowering others to embrace their identities and engage and enlighten individuals beyond their blindspots. Within this, transformational work, I continuously evolve and grow understanding and empathy for others. The social and organizational category for the work I do is Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Transformational Work. I do this work through the lens of grace and understanding recognizing that we are all on a journey and most of us are limited to our understanding of one another.
I am very proud of the connectedness this work brings to my clients. I am most proud to see skeptics of this transformational work begin to see the beauty and positive impact of creating cultures of inclusion and belonging. The reality is that I am this work and this work is me. We are interconnected in so many ways. The work I do tells the story of my past, present, and my hope for the future.
About my organization:
Brainy HR Solutions is a full-service Human Resources Transformational Partnership Boutique Firm that provides short- and long-term solutions for businesses of all sizes, profit and non-profit. Our firm specializes in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and performs this work in an organic, customized, methodical, and transformational manner. Our belief is that the work of DEIB is not work that is done on the outskirts of the organization’s culture but that this work is the culture of the organization, the “who” and “how” in everything the organization does. Further, every single person in the organization needs to be part of that journey.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Authenticity has been critical in helping me build a reputation in the market. Immediately after George Floyd’s murder, there were many individuals eager to move into the DEIB space. Organizations were calling for DEIB experts to provide guidance on how they could meet the moment. Budgets opened, boards listened, corporate executives were at attention, with this, new talent flooded the market taking on these new opportunities and told corporate executives what they wanted to hear. Many of the efforts were “check the box.” Employees saw through it, called the organizations and its leaders out for being performative and disingenuous.
This work has and will always mean the most to me. I have never waivered in my beliefs to earn business or appease a client- although my hope is that my understanding deepens and hopefully evolves- that is the goal. But, staying true to why I do this work and dedicated to partnering with my clients in the most authentic way means everything to me- integrity means everything to me. Being wrong does not mean I don’t make mistakes or never need to pivot from an original plan or thought, it means that I am true to who I am always and what I know to be true based on facts, training, education, and life experiences- living the work and doing the work. I am committed to doing what is best for each and every client- always. This is how I have grown and gained respect in my client base.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
One of my key principles of managing teams and maintaining high morale is to see people beyond the work. As a society, we thrive on being “busy.” We thrive on accomplishments, running from this place to the next. We thrive on output. However, a good leader knows how to slow down and “see” the people who are doing the work. Acknowledging them beyond the work and getting to know them beyond the work. Showing appreciation for their commitment and dedication and being consistent and genuine in their gratitude. A good leader provides clear goals and celebrates milestones then parties at the finish line while finding time to really celebrate the hardwork before throwing out another huge goal.
The people need to be seen, heard, felt, connected with- very often, as leaders, we forget the importance of the human connection. We forgot the power of connecting with people in meaningful and authentic ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brainyhrsolutions.com
- Instagram: Brainy_Solutions
- Linkedin: Dr. Syrine A. Reese-Gaines
Image Credits
Kimball International BIFMA