Lead With What You Know—And Who You Know
Why sharpening your skills (and your circle) matters more than ever. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the past year is this: coalition building is more than collaboration—it’s a survival strategy. As a surgeon and senior health equity leader, I used to think strategic planning was mostly about aligning people around the…Read More
Stay Visible. Stay Valuable.
Why Visibility and Value Are the New Metrics for Leadership There have been moments — especially lately — when I’ve felt the weight of all this work. When I’ve looked around and seen roles disappear, committees restructured, and priorities quietly pulled back. In spite of this, ODLC continues to grow, build, and move forward with…Read More
Your Mission is Clear. Is Your Message?
Recently, we introduced the ODLC V.A.L.U.E.™ Framework — a strategic lens to help leaders navigate today’s complex health equity landscape with purpose and clarity. Each week, we’re unpacking each letter of the framework, offering real-world insights and tools to help you lead with greater alignment, evidence, and impact. This week, we start with “V: Voice…Read More
It’s Juneteenth! What does that mean to you?
On June 19th, 1865, the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were notified that they were free, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Over 150 years later, one way we commemorate this event is through our continuous journey toward equity. For some, Juneteenth represents a time to celebrate and uplift African-American…Read More
The Silent Ally
As national headlines swirl about organizations dismantling DEI programs, revising websites, or pulling back from public statements, much of the conversation has focused on institutional rollback trends. But what if the more dangerous erosion isn’t happening at the organizational level, but rather, the individual? Let’s talk about the Silent Ally From 2018 to 2023, we…Read More
Leading with Strength
Imagine this: The framework you’ve trusted for decades is crumbling beneath your feet. You’re torn between dissent and demand—between staying the course and challenging the system. The path forward is essential, but cloudy. Some days, you’re lifted by an institution’s resilience. Other days, you’re discouraged by the rollbacks you see in neighboring organizations. And through…Read More
PRESSURE VS. PURPOSE: The Cost of Conviction
At ODLC, we’re always watching the shifting tides around equity and leadership—and this fictional yet incredibly timely Harvard Business Review case study had us leaning in. In “Should We Drop Our Board Diversity Goals?” a national company’s board is facing external pressure to reverse its long-standing commitment to diversity. With an IPO on the horizon…Read More
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership: A True Team Sport
There is more dynamic engagement within the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in orthopedic surgery today than ever before. In addition, over the recent years, health care and corporate institutions alike have approached culture evolution from multiple pathways.
The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Effective, Ethical Leadership
Take a moment the next time your find yourself in a room with others. Look to your left, then to your right. Who do you see? Do you see people in the room who look like you, share similar ideas, share your gender?
The Great DEI Rebrand
Why Organizations Are Renaming Their Committees and Roles In the evolving landscape, one thing has become clear: the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is shifting. Across industries, organizations are reconsidering how they frame their DEI efforts, with many rebranding committee names, adjusting leadership titles, or integrating equity-focused work under broader umbrellas like “culture,”…Read More