Why Nurture an Inclusive Organization? Courtney Meyers and Karen Pavicic Share Top Insights
This year, CCWomen had the pleasure of presenting the Workplace for Gender Equity award during the CCW Excellence Gala. Our 2024 inductee was Omni Interactions, a BPO solutions provider striving to uplift its workforce through inclusion, flexibility, and transparency.
Fostering an inclusive organization is critical for employee happiness and business success. It reminds people that their value and worth aren’t just found in their contributions but also in their diverse backgrounds and experiences. Everyone brings valuable perspectives to the table, and each voice deserves a mic.
To emphasize the importance of a welcoming environment, Co-CEOs Courtney Meyers and Karen Pavicic joined our July webinar and shared how they continuously innovate and empower their diverse work community. Here are their top insights.
1. A leader’s empowerment can create a lifelong impact.
Leaders have the unique opportunity of setting the stage for their teams. Empowering employees can be a daunting task, but the ripple effect is worthwhile. No matter how brief, any form of mentorship can have a profound and lasting effect on a person’s career—and encourage them to pay it forward.
Meyers shared how her mentor in the army sparked inspiration despite being in a male-dominated space:
“I’d just been assigned to Fort Campbell as a medic in the army for my first duty assignment, and I was Private First Class Myers. I was very, very young. The sergeant in charge of the medical department was a female, and she was awesome.
She taught me a lot about how to carry yourself, how to stand up for yourself, and how to ensure that, even in that world, you can garner respect from your peers.”
“My earliest mentor helped me build my confidence. She believed in me before I believed in me,” said Pavicic. “it’s powerful to have another female supporting your journey to help you try new things, trust yourself, and take on bigger roles.”
2. Balance and flexibility are non-negotiable for an inclusive environment.
An inclusive organization recognizes and fills the various needs of its employees, equipping them with the resources to excel in their roles and stay on an upward path. For some, flexibility is a significant factor in employee satisfaction.
Meyers explained:
“Women are the ones juggling so many different things. They have intangible skills—like the ability to multitask and manage time. When you have so many responsibilities at home and work, these end up being incredible skills in the workplace. Sometimes, we overlook the fact that challenges are tremendous strengths that people bring to the table.”
Pavicic followed up with a personal anecdote:
“There were points in my career where I couldn’t find balance, but I was so determined. I was juggling a household, the needs of five children, and making sure to meet all the commitments of my company. I want to make sure my team knows that I’m willing to work with them. They never have to choose. Often, I felt like I had to. There were business trips I had to attend, and I’d be missing my son’s hockey game, my daughter’s gymnastics, or their Christmas concert. As a mom, you feel a lot of guilt for that. So, as I lead, that’s at the forefront of my mind.
We want to think differently about how things can be done, about how we work and connect with our people—as females in the industry, as working moms, you never have to choose. You can do both. We’re going to find a way to help you reach your full career and mom potential, so you don’t ever have to sacrifice one for the other.”
3. Companies must constantly redefine work and be open to change.
People evolve. To stay competitive, companies also need to pursue constant growth. This includes discovering new ways of working and ensuring that they provide ample support through every transition.
“We always want to be critical of ourselves and make sure we’re not creeping into the old, more traditional ways,” said Meyers. “I love that we have the opportunity to do this today and share what we do in hopes of inspiring leaders at other companies to take a critical look at their workplace and how they operate.”
“Think differently about how work can be done. Lead with trust,” noted Pavicic. “We can be so much more flexible with our people, their schedules, and needs. It’s important for companies never to define balance for women in the workforce.”
Need more insights on fostering an inclusive organization?
When women and allies gather to champion one another, transformation is never too far behind. CCWomen is a community platform on a mission to recreate empowering experiences—event after event, person by person.
Like CCWomen, Omni Interactions is committed to advancing women’s leadership in male-dominated spaces. Its vision of a fairer, more diverse workforce is reflected in its corporate values and powerhouse team. Learn more about its view on gender inclusivity here.
Looking to tap into an expansive network of leaders, trailblazers, and visionaries to guide your inclusivity efforts?
