We recently connected with Ember Marr and have shared our conversation below.

Ember, appreciate you joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

Creating a more inclusive workplace is a journey that takes active effort, commitment, and learning. Here are some insights based on my experiences:

Encourage diverse voices: It’s important to make all employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and perspectives. This can be done by fostering a culture of open communication and respect. In one of my early career roles, I noticed that people from minority backgrounds often felt overlooked during discussions. Seeing this lack of inclusivity pushed me to champion a culture at LEAP Spark where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Promote diversity in leadership: Having diverse leadership helps ensure that decisions are made with a variety of perspectives in mind. When leaders come from different backgrounds, they bring unique ideas to the table that can result in innovative solutions.

Provide bias training: Implicit bias can unintentionally affect decisions in the workplace. Regular training can help employees identify and overcome these biases. It’s crucial to understand that we all carry some biases, and recognizing them is the first step toward inclusivity.

Create inclusive policies: Inclusive policies can make a significant impact on the workplace environment. For example, at LEAP Spark, we revised our healthcare policy to support employees who need to travel to access healthcare services due to restrictive laws in their state. This policy adjustment signals to our team members that we respect and value their needs and rights.

Inclusive hiring practices: Prioritize diversity in your recruitment process. Diverse teams lead to diverse ideas, improved problem-solving, and better representation of your clientele.

Celebrate cultural diversity: Encourage employees to share their traditions and celebrate them. This can foster understanding and acceptance among team members and creates a more inclusive atmosphere.

Remember, building an inclusive workplace is not a one-time effort, but a continuous journey of learning, understanding, and improvement. Inclusive workplaces drive innovation, increase employee engagement, and make organizations more competitive, so it’s an investment worth making.

Ember, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Ember Marr, a dedicated marketer, co-owner, and the current president at LEAP Spark. We’re a full-service marketing agency that started as a digital-only agency in Louisville 23 years ago. Now, we’re a comprehensive marketing powerhouse, leveraging cutting-edge tools and strategies to stay at the forefront of this dynamic industry.

My path into marketing was sparked by my time at the University of Louisville’s business school. After graduation, I ventured into the equine industry’s marketing domain. I consulted for several racetracks and then transitioned to a full-time role at a fantasy horse racing and media startup as their marketing director. After gaining substantial experience, I joined LEAP Spark as a director, steadily rose through the ranks, and am now co-owner.

At LEAP Spark, we offer a myriad of services, including digital marketing, animation, film production, and photography. We pride ourselves on understanding our clients’ needs and delivering customized solutions that help them connect with their target audience effectively and creatively. We’re problem solvers, strategists, and storytellers, assisting our clients in navigating the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

What sets us apart is our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, both in our team and in our marketing approach. We understand that today’s customers are diverse, and to reach them effectively, diverse voices need to be integrated into marketing strategies. With an 89% diversity index, our team reflects a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. This diversity fuels our creative process, helping us devise innovative strategies that resonate with various audiences.

In an era where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, we stay ahead of the curve by constantly learning and experimenting with the latest tools and platforms. We have stayed ahead of the AI arms race by accurately predicting how important AI would be in our vertical and proactively incorporating AI tools and learnings into our daily workflow.

I’m incredibly proud of the inclusive and supportive culture we’ve nurtured at LEAP Spark.

In essence, LEAP Spark is more than a marketing agency. We’re a creative hub, a beacon of diversity, and a firm advocate for inclusivity. We believe in the power of diverse voices and aim to reflect that in every project we undertake. To potential clients, followers, and fans, know that when you engage with LEAP Spark, you’re choosing a partner that values diversity, innovation, and your unique needs.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Maintaining team morale hinges on fostering an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued. An atmosphere of acceptance encourages the expression of diverse ideas and perspectives, which can spark innovation and creative problem-solving.

Encouraging resilience rather than perfection is key in nurturing innovation. Mistakes should be seen as opportunities for learning and growth, reducing the fear of failure and promoting a growth mindset within the team. This shift in perspective drives innovation and motivates team members to continually improve.

Active inclusion ensures all voices are heard. Every team member brings a unique perspective to the table, and their contributions should be recognized and valued. This shared ownership increases engagement and boosts team morale.

Lastly, promoting a healthy work-life balance is essential. Respecting personal boundaries and encouraging time off prevents burnout, thereby sustaining productivity and morale in the long run. This balance is crucial to maintain a happy, motivated team, and as leaders, we must exemplify these values ourselves.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One profound lesson I’ve had to unlearn throughout my career is the glorification of overwork and the idea that constant busyness equals productivity and success.

In the early stages of my career, I was under the impression that success required relentless work. I spent countless hours at the office, often neglecting personal commitments and hobbies. The traditional narrative of “hard work pays off” was deeply ingrained in me, leading me to believe that this constant grind was not only necessary but commendable.

However, this unsustainable routine began to take its toll on my health and relationships. Despite the long hours, my productivity was declining, and I was quickly approaching burnout.

I realized that maintaining a work-life balance is not a luxury, but a necessity. I began to actively set boundaries, ensuring I made time for relaxation and recreation. I realized that success isn’t measured by the number of hours put in, but by the quality of work and one’s overall well-being.

This lesson was transformational for me, and as a leader, it has shaped my approach to team management. I now champion the importance of work-life balance within our team, understanding that rested and rejuvenated employees are far more productive and creative. Unlearning the glorification of overwork was challenging, but it has resulted in a healthier, more balanced, and ultimately more successful work environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leapsparkagency.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapsparkagency/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emberm/

Image Credits
(spark)