Managing Boundaries Inside and Out
Episode 2: Interview with Mason Donovan, Global Inclusion Strategist, Best Selling Author, Employee Engagement Expert at The Dagoba Group
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.
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In this essential episode of “Courage to Advance,” host Kim Bohr and global inclusion strategist Mason Donovan tackle a critical challenge facing today’s leaders: maintaining organizational cohesion in an increasingly polarized world. Their timely conversation cuts through the noise to deliver practical wisdom on fostering productive workplaces where differences drive innovation rather than division.
Through real-world examples—from Fortune 500 companies reimagining their headquarters through an inclusion lens to navigating public stances on societal issues—Donovan and Bohr explore how thoughtful leadership can transform potential friction points into opportunities for organizational growth. Drawing from both personal experience and extensive client work, they examine why some corporate inclusion initiatives soar while others stumble, offering senior leaders a strategic framework for making decisions that align with both mission and market realities.
Key Insights:
- Master the art of productive dialogue in high-stakes situations with concrete strategies for creating psychological safety while maintaining clear professional boundaries
- Learn how market leaders like Goldman Sachs successfully navigate societal issues by making intentional, mission-aligned choices rather than reactive responses to cultural moments
- Discover how inclusion transcends HR policy to become a powerful business driver – from workplace design to leadership communication – and how to identify the subtle yet significant decisions that shape organizational culture
Perfect for leaders seeking actionable approaches to building resilient, high-performing teams in today’s complex business environment. Whether you’re a CHRO designing organization-wide strategy or a division leader working to strengthen team dynamics, this episode delivers practical insights for turning diversity of thought into a competitive advantage.
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Episode on YouTube
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Episode Resources:
The Connection Compass: Guide to Inclusive Dialogue
A comprehensive framework and workbook designed to help individuals and organizations navigate differences through self-reflection, understanding impact, and building connections with practical exercises and action steps.
Leading Through Polarization Discussion Guide
A structured discussion guide that provides conversation prompts and questions focused on three key areas - micro-exclusions, political conversations, and building inclusive culture - to help teams extend their learning from the podcast episode.
