Creating change
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Managing Hiring and Layoffs? Use an Equity Lens
Many businesses and organizations are announcing furloughs and layoffs as a result of the economic upheavals caused by the pandemic. As America faces a profound time of racial reckoning while in the midst of a pandemic, now is precisely the right time to focus our Equity Lens intently on hiring and firing practices. It’s no time for excuses. I’ve heard many say: “Given the pandemic, we don’t have time to look into hiring practices.” That’s just using a laziness lens. As Diana Noriega, Assistant Executive Director of Anti-Racism and Equity at Good Shepherd Services stated on my recent radio show: “Crisis accelerates the process of the work. People get comfortable…
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Using Whiteness Accountability Spaces to Disrupt and Unlearn Racial Biases & Actions
Now more than ever, it’s critical that whites effectively partner with People of Color and other whites to interrupt racist dynamics to create more racially just, inclusive organizations. One of the most effective ways I know of to accomplish this is to begin by facilitating Whiteness Accountability Spaces in our organizations. Are you ready to deepen your capacity – and choose courage – by recognizing white privilege, getting honest about how you were socialized in a sea of racist attitudes and ways you may still react out of these? Are you committed to learn how to create racially just organizations and choose courage to disrupt daily racist dynamics? It…
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How to Design an Online Training Session on Foundational EDI
Given the fears and restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic, someone asked a great question recently: How might you effectively design an online foundational EDI training that still fosters a productive, engaging learning environment? The Nuts & Bolts: Design an Effective Online Training Event For starters, make sure you have the right technological infrastructure in place to give you the flexibility to design meaningful engagement, including breakout rooms, chat and Q&A functions, poll function, and a raise hand feature to bring people into the conversation live. To date, the longest online session I have facilitated is about 2 hours. If you plan for longer sessions, be sure to schedule…
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Strategies for Leaders to Use an Inclusion Lens in Crisis Management
It is imperative during this global crisis that we work TOGETHER to move forward. In these unprecedented times, as leaders are in crisis management mode, making urgent decisions that have significant impact on employees and those they serve, it’s essential to ensure that everyone is included in plans to rise above this pandemic. Working together means using an Equity & Inclusion Lens as we make decisions, plan programs, and develop services to live our lives amidst the hidden threats of an unseen virus. I’ll be sharing proven and helpful tactics for using an Inclusion Lens in my upcoming webinar, “Strategies to Use an Inclusion Lens in Crisis Management,”…
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Inclusion INTENTIONS Aren’t Enough: Follow Up with Real ACTIONS
When it comes to creating inclusive environments for everyone – places where each and every person, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, sexuality or type of position, feels comfortable, respected and valued – each of us has personal intentions on how we’d like to get there. Problem is, intentions aren’t enough. We must do the work. Perhaps at no other point in time has this been more crucial. The Journey to Inclusive Environments is a LONG Haul And I don’t have to tell you: it can be hard work. Undoing centuries of white, male, heterosexual, and cisgender privilege can’t be done in one or a few work sessions.…
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How to Take the Headache Out of Conferences (and still enjoy all the benefits)
Conferences. You know the value of them – yet you get overwhelmed just thinking about juggling your work responsibilities and your personal schedule to attend them. Then there’s planning travel time and accommodations. It doesn’t have to be that way! Sign up for my all-new Envision 2020: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Conference – and forget about travel, traffic and scheduling hassles. This flexible conference package is based entirely online – so it fits seamlessly into your busy schedule. A win-win! Learn more here. Here’s what I know: when it comes to professional development opportunities, there is no “one size fits all” approach. I created my virtual conference…
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How to Use White/Whiteness Accountability Spaces to Begin Healing Your Racial Biases
My First Experience in a White Accountability Space Years ago, the first time I sat in a group of all white people, I wasted the experience. Really. My ego got in the way, taunting me, saying I couldn’t learn anything meaningful about racism without having people of color included in the group. In my own huff, I sat silently, hoping that no one would call me out as a racist. Then I had an epiphany. White people, including me, need this authentic space with only other whites so that they can freely share about our white fragility, our defensiveness, fears, and shame as well as our resistance to recognizing the…
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Making the Case for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As change agents, sometimes we become so focused on implementing DEI practices in organizations, that we may neglect to highlight the positive benefits inclusion offers. And there are many! Before and during diversity, equity and inclusion training, making note of the positive benefits linking diversity and positive organizational performance can be a decisive incentive for folks to keep on going when the going gets tough! We all know our jobs as change agents aren’t easy. But when presented with research linking diversity with profitability and other proven benefits, it can be the impetus an organization needs to make a firm commitment to infuse DEI at every level. “Inclusion is…
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Emotional Intelligence: Your Key to Navigating Difficult Situations
We all know what IQ is: a rating of your intelligence based on test results. But how about Emotional Intelligence? Do you know how you rate? Do you know what it is? Simply put, emotional intelligence is: Your ability to not only be aware of, understand and manage your emotions, but to effectively recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others around you. How strong your emotional intelligence is can be an extremely influential factor in your career success. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou Do…
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Is Workplace Conflict Pushing Your Buttons? Try This.
Are you tired of workplace drama – the same old employees pushing your buttons, because they just seem to know your triggers? Transform Workplace Conflict? YES, It IS Possible! Do you feel like you’re in a battlefield, where a productive, inclusive and rewarding atmosphere has been crushed by continual arguing, insults and toxic behaviors? And worst of all, are you frustrated because you want to change the way you respond, but can’t seem to see your way out? Good news! You don’t have to tolerate it or hope that someday things will get better – I can show you how to respond effectively to toxic workplace situations – with…
