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Give Yourself Permission to Practice Self Care
Any time is the right time to practice self-care, but summer seems to the perfect season! Like many change agents and activists, I’ve had a fire in my belly since a young age. As I matured, I realized that accomplishing any meaningful difference in the world was a daunting task when I was exhausted and drained, mentally and physically. In order to make a difference for what is important to us, we must be grounded in ourselves and follow our inner guidance. That comes from practicing self care. Here are my favorite tips to rejuvenate. With summer nearly here, being in the outdoors, whether it’s taking a hike, walking the…
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Our Top 5 Posts on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion … and more!
Here are 5 of our most popular posts that you may find helpful – all in one quick go-to reference. Want to gain access to our brand new and ever-growing comprehensive Knowledge Base packed with info on all the topics that matter most to you? Click here to join free! Without further ado, here’s a fast summary of the 5 top posts. To read more, just click the links… 1) When TMI Happens at a Training on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion It happens sometimes. Your organization is committed to inclusion. Training sessions offer participants the opportunity to reflect, discuss and comment on exclusion and discrimination within the organization.…
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Answers to 3 of Your Most Popular Questions on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Training
Discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusion can be lively, emotional – and sometimes challenging. Sessions can give rise to a multitude of varying questions and difficult situations. In our Q&A sessions, I am often asked the same questions regarding situations that generate a feeling of unease and hesitancy during workshops. By being prepared, we can better assist our workshop participants. During these challenging situations, stand strong. Don’t judge. Be empathetic. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” When a…
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As a White Person, How Do You Reconcile Teaching About Racial Justice?
What We Think We Are, We Oftentimes Are Not… Yeah, I get it. Years ago, I believed that the worst thing that could happen to me was to be labeled a racist by a person of color. But guess what? It happened. Me! The person who I thought was committed to making a difference in my life and others by teaching about diversity. My illusion was shattered by an early experience where I had been asked to try out my capacity as a leader for a new position. Two people of color confronted me regarding some of my behaviors they felt were racist. Me? No way! I disagreed – but…
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Are Your Diversity Efforts Falling Short? It May Be Because…
Even with the best of intentions, diversity efforts might have fallen short of expectations at your organization. Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. When this happens, there are a couple culprits often to blame. One of the most common? One person (or a small group of people) is expected to create a more inclusive workplace for the entire organization. It can’t be done that way. If only one or a few people are working towards an organization’s goals of equity and inclusion, think for a minute about all the others who may actually be reversing those efforts! How can just one person be expected to undo centuries of racism and…
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I Want to Speak Up at Work…But I Fear Retaliation
How many times I have heard that comment! Lots of Things Can Happen When Inclusion Training Starts I’ve worked for decades as an organizational change consultant, helping organizations to establish socially just environments where everyone feels valued and respected. Some days, my work feels almost like the dog-chasing-its-tail drama: Working to resolve one exclusionary situation can bring to life the ugly head of another issue. Revenge and retaliation always perpetuate the cycle of anger, fear and violence. -Coretta Scott King Once an organization steps up and begins inclusion training, many things can happen. While some earnestly attempt to overcome their exclusionary practices, others seem hell-bent on continuing their…
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Design & Facilitation 101: Find New Ways to Engage Participants
“I’m planning my first training session and am searching for a way to get employees enthusiastic about attending and participating. This seems like the hardest task to accomplish!” I bet you can relate to that statement – I know I can! When Training, Avoid the “It’s Always Been Done This Way” Trap You want to be a catalyst for meaningful, sustainable organizational change – and you’re enthusiastic about taking the lead in diversity, equity and inclusion training. You see yourself as being the go-to person and you’re up for the challenge. But you remember past training seminars: indifferent, apathetic outlooks stifled any enthusiasm for new learning and…
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Bullying in the Workplace: Had Enough?
Bullying is immersed in our culture: in school, at work, and even online. My fear is you’ve experienced it. Like an epidemic, it spreads. Workplace bullying can lead to lawsuits, a loss of morale among employees and higher rates of absenteeism, along with countless other unproductive, harmful consequences. If you’ve experienced bullying in the workplace, you need to formulate a plan to alleviate the situation. Tolerating it isn’t the answer; that merely perpetuates it. You want to be courageous, to take a stand against bullying – but you’re afraid of retaliation. Your fears may be heightened if the bully is your boss, or someone in a leadership position. There are…
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Do you really believe change is possible for our world?
Do you want your workplace, community or the whole country to be different? Maybe it feels overwhelming – impossible, even – and you’re at a loss for what to do next. I hear you. And I’m here to tell you I believe that yes – change is still 100% possible – no matter how things may look within the greater context of our current political climate. My Vision of Transformation & Change A lot of folks say they want change. Some may want transformation and change to create a world grounded in the values of the 1940s and 50s – or even earlier. Others perhaps have a vision where only…
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Bosses and Staff Together At Inclusion Sessions: Yes or No?
For many employees, honest discussion on many topics is inhibited when supervisors and bosses are present. Discussing discrimination and exclusion in the workplace can prove even more challenging when bosses – who have the power to hire and fire – are themselves the ones needing the most training on inclusion practices. So what’s the correct way to hold sessions? Include supervisors and not have full employee input? Or leave the bosses out even though you recognize they’re in need of discrimination and exclusion training as well? I prefer to include supervision and staff together. Here’s why. Differing Opinions on the Same Organizational Goal In a particular organization I worked with,…
