Transforming Through Storytelling with Priya Nulkar

Transformative power of storytelling and vulnerability in leadership and inclusivity. Priya Nulkar, President of the Roundtable Institute, joins us to discuss her journey from a Harvard and Yale-educated psychologist to a prominent advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. 

Priya talks about the critical need for this shift in today’s political and social climate. We tackle the roots of resistance to these initiatives, often stemming from fear and misunderstanding, and how compassionate leadership can address these challenges.

Through captivating real-world examples, we illustrate how leaders who prioritize culture and emotional intelligence can foster supportive, innovative, and high-performing workplaces. Exploring a case study about a leader who successfully embedded inclusivity into their company culture, resulting in a thriving, diverse environment.

The discussion also highlights the LEAD framework's role in fostering inclusive leadership, comparing the journey to training for a marathon – requiring dedication, continuous learning, and community support. Reflecting on personal experiences, we discuss how storytelling and vulnerability have been pivotal in our leadership growth.

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:02) – Leaders Embracing Diversity and Inclusion (9 Minutes):

This chapter explores how storytelling fosters inclusivity and leadership development. Priya Nalkor shares her transition from academia to founding the Roundtable Institute, focusing on, the political climate's impact, and how fear-driven resistance can be mitigated through compassionate leadership.

(0:09:11) – Building Inclusive Company Cultures (10 Minutes):

We emphasize prioritizing culture and people within businesses. Through curiosity and understanding individuals, leaders can create supportive, innovative environments. A case study is discussed, highlighting a leader who built a diverse and inclusive company culture, emphasizing the importance of emotions as a universal language.

(0:19:07) – Personal Stories and Inclusive Leadership (7 Minutes):

This chapter delves into the LEAD framework's application in leadership and inclusion, likening the journey to marathon training. The importance of self-care and community support is highlighted, along with the power of personal storytelling in fostering shared humanity and connection.

(0:26:15) – Empowering Her C-Suite Events (1 Minute):

Listener engagement is encouraged through ratings and reviews. Her C-Suite Events are introduced, offering inspiring conversations and connections through monthly and turnkey speaker events. The episode concludes with an invitation to shine your light brighter in your professional journey.

Transcript Samples From Key Chapters:

Leaders Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

“Storytelling begets storytelling because it asks us to be very vulnerable, and when we're vulnerable, we invite others to share their story too. I think that when we share our stories together, we create a foundation from which we can really create something beautiful.”

Building Inclusive Company Cultures

“If you prioritize culture, then you're going to start paying attention to the people around you. You have to if you're prioritizing the culture of your business. That means you have to get to know people. You said curiosity. I think that's one of the most important things because when you're curious, you're going to listen differently and ask a very different type of question.”

Personal Stories and Inclusive Leadership

“The beautiful thing about this journey is that the goal is constantly changing, so you're never done. You're always learning new things. When we provide a platform to share those stories, we create shared humanity, and from that place, we can build something incredible together.”

Tune in to discover how storytelling and vulnerability can revolutionize your leadership and inclusivity efforts in the workplace!