Let’s talk about ERGs today… employee resource groups. They are affinity groups where you can connect, grow and learn with other folks at your organization over shared interests or backgrounds. For a larger company, ERGs can be a wonderful way to build community and a sense of belonging at work. But what if you don’t have one yet… and want to create one?
My special guest today is ERG expert Kenny Braxton and he’s simplifying how to create impactful ERGs for your organization. Let’s face it… some of us spend more time at work than we do with our family and friends. And the epidemic of loneliness hasn’t subsided since the pandemic began in 2020. Getting involved in an ERG might help.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Kenny Braxton and he’s simplifying how to create impactful ERGs for your organization.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
- How he defines an ERG (employee resource group) in today’s workplace and why these are important, especially for larger organizations.
- He talks about a unique ERG he’s championed at his workplace called the “Family Caregivers ERG”, how it work and who it supports.
- How to create an ERG from the ground up. What you need and how to create the right structure to make it last.
- HR professionals tend to make one very common mistake when running ERGs and how to avoid it.
- …and ultimately, he shared a few best practices when it comes to ERGs that have helped build a sense of true community at his company.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to create an impactful ERG for your organization? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
----
<What’s catching my eye this week>
- 3 hours of (free) focus music for deep concentration - Quiet Quest - Study Music
- What are employee resource groups (ERGs)? - Great Place to Work Insights
- 50 powerful questions to help you reflect - The Institute of You
----
My challenge for you this week:
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and take action to create impactful ERGs at your organization this week? What’s one thing you’ll do differently? Share it with me, privately or publicly. Snap a photo of you doing the thing, and send me a DM over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) for added accountability and support!
Links, books and apps mentioned:
Resource: Find Kenny Braxton on LinkedIn - click here
Resource: The Diversity Wheel, created by Marilyn Loden and Judy Rosener in 1990 - adapted by the Y
Event: The Rules of ERG Engagement Tour, led by Maceo Owens - The ERG Homegirl
Book: Jackfruit Leadership: A Roadmap for Aspiring Leaders to Embrace Uniqueness and Create Connections at Work - Dana Dillard
Podcast: Top 5 AI tools to help your get a job - The Simplifiers Podcast
Podcast: How to squash your limiting self-beliefs - The Simplifiers Podcast
Get Unstuck with The Simplifiers Morning Prompts
We’ve got a free resource we’d love to share with you!
Now more than ever, I’m finding 7-minutes of journaling is helping me calm my mind and get centered every morning.
So, start your day off right, download The Simplifiers Morning Prompts.
It’s a free daily worksheet that helps you laser-focus on what needs to get done today, what could trip you up and how you’re going to stay on track. 5 questions, 7 minutes… this worksheet will help you SIMPLIFY!
About Kenny Braxton:
Kenny Braxton - He has been in the Human Resources space for over 20 years, most currently serving as the Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Talent Acquisition for HF Sinclair since 2013.
He was awarded the “DEI Leader of the Year 2023” by DallasHR, one of the largest SHRM chapters in the US. He’s also the founder of the Veterans in Energy ERG and since then oversees five ERGs at HF Sinclair.
This episode is sponsored by…
Hey friends - Have you heard about Insperity yet?
For 38 years, they’ve provided HR solutions that scale with your business, including employee benefits, payroll, talent management, and more.
If you own or work for a small or midsize business that needs HR support, check ‘em out at insperity.com/bpa/debbie.carter or email debbie.carter@insperity.com. Her direct line is 972-955-9243.
With 90 locations across the US, Insperity helps businesses succeed so communities prosper. Contact Debbie at Insperity today and make sure to tell her The Simplifiers sent you.
Where Kenny hangs out online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-braxton-58a4575/
Website: https://www.hfsinclair.com/
Kenny’s vote for the perfect guest on The Simplifiers Podcast:
Dana Dillard - Starting her career as a call center agent and working her way to the C-Suite, Dana Dillard is an award-winning leader in financial services. She is known for her collaborative style and humorous personality, and she has a heart for the customers she has served for over 30 years.
Whether leading call center operations, handling the customer complaints area, or being the star witness for the company in litigation, Dana has experienced a robust career focused on collaboration and building people up. It was Dana’s curiosity about how teams perform that led her to pursue a master’s degree in Inclusive Leadership and this combination of experience and education culminated in her debut book, Jackfruit Leadership.
When she’s not working on her next book, you can find Dana doing keynote speeches and workshops where she helps managers evolve into the type of leaders they were meant to be. Dana lives in Colleyville, Texas with her husband of 29 years, Todd, her two kids Brandon and Loretta, plus the family dogs Karma and Skillet.
