As a business consultant and program developer, Cyndi O’Bannon is a liaison, troubleshooter, and trainer who helps leaders of companies include the disabled in their workforces, sustainably and mindfully
Cyndi is a veteran consultant and skilled at wearing the many hats required to assist innovative business leaders to mindfully incorporate sustainable disability and inclusion practices into their worksites. Her tenets for sustainable D & I program development: Make the DECISION. Communicate your decision early and often – building awareness, garnering buy-in and identify co-creators. Create a plan that meets YOUR individual business need – sustainability happens when applied action addresses an actual need. ASK for help when you need it – to paraphrase Einstein, you don’t have to have all the answers; you just need to know where to find them. ALWAYS remember that you are just hiring a person to do a job – if you make any employment decision based on disability (except in the case of accommodation) and not ability and observed performance, you miss the mark. And lastly, HAVE FUN – celebrate your success, learn from your mistakes and honor the innate timing inherent in creation. Cyndi, in addition to her role as a consultant, is a board member for ACCESS TRI-CITIES and Hanford High: Advisory Board, and a volunteer with Chaplaincy Heath Care: Hospice.
3 Key Points
- We learn the most when we feel that we have failed. Turn challenges into chances to adjust.
- Mindful hiring is not just a moral positive; it’s an effective business practice.
Quote
On accepting opportunity: “When you open that door, the people show up. Things fall into place, because you have this calling. You’re supported when you open the door.”
What We Talked About
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- 01:14 – Can you tell us more about what you do?
- 03:40 – On employee provisions for people with physical disabilities
- 06:24 – Is everyone you work with focused on accessible hiring?
- 09:08 – How does your work have impact?
- 14:06 – Does considering accessibility improve the training that companies provide to their employees?
- 15:18 – What do companies need to consider in hiring accessibly?
- 20:00 – Do you focus on one industry, or do you consult in several different areas?
- 21:40 – How have you worked through challenges?
- 23:45 – Having fun in the workplace
Actionable Tips
- Recognize when it’s your time to have impact.
- Just keep moving forward.
- Take risks; give life a chance to surprise you.
Resources Mentioned
- You can reach out to Cyndi by email.
Resources for Your Business
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Ursula Jorch, Host of The Impact Interviews
Ursula Jorch is a business coach, speaker, and podcaster who shows women leaders how to turn their businesses into profitable agents for lasting change, global impact, and a force for good in the world.
