Creating change
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Know the Warning Signs You’ve Been Triggered to Navigate Difficult Situations.
Look around. When was the last time you witnessed or were involved in a triggering situation? If you really take the time to observe, you’ll probably notice triggering events happening all around you, all the time. Even in organizations with some of the best laid-out plans, conflict in the workplace still happens. Conflict in the Workplace Sends Productivity Plummeting Even a seemingly minor disagreement can spiral out of control into a conflict in the workplace that undermines productivity and erodes professional relationships. What about you? Have you ever reacted on automatic pilot in a way that was less than productive when you felt triggered? Maybe some of these statements sound…
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Smart Approaches to Effectively Address Equity by Balancing Group Participation
Lately, I’ve been going over strategies for trainers to make their courses and workshops more effective, by bringing attention to issues of equity and inclusion. In my last post, I explained how you can help participants broaden their perspectives by interacting with a more diverse range of people. Today, let’s talk about how you can successfully invite verbal participation from a full range of participants across group memberships. To begin, you may find it useful to increase your awareness of who, by group membership, is participating during large group discussions. To Infuse Diversity and Inclusion, Start by Paying Attention… With intent, notice and track who shares in the room…
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5 Strategies to Create More Inclusive Teams & Classrooms…From the Start!
Right now, there are so many organizational and national/international dynamics happening that we can influence. It may seem like every time you login to Facebook, turn on the TV, or access any major news outlet, there’s more negativity. All of this can feel overwhelming and out of our control at times…I bet you can relate to that. How Can We Create More Inclusive Environments? Where to Start? In the face of these often trying times, many of us are left wondering what we can do…how to best channel our efforts to achieve lasting, positive results. If you’re reading this right now, I know you’re not the type of…
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Is there a Disconnect Between Your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals – and What’s Actually Happening?
Across the nation, most leaders would agree that there is a renewed energy, commitment, and in many cases, even a sense of urgency, to live up to the promises as set forth in their mission statements and strategic plans. Most often, I see diversity, equity and inclusion goals like the following: Deepen the capacity and competence of all members of the organization to create a more inclusive, socially just environment. Support and accelerate the professional/academic and personal success of the full range of individuals the organization serves. Create inclusive work environments that support the success of the full range of employees across group membership. All of this looks great on…
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Infuse Issues of Diversity and Inclusion into Your Next Decision-Making Course
I’ve been talking a lot lately about infusing diversity and inclusion into every level of the organization. As you analyze the current culture and climate, you’ll be taking a close look at the policies, practices, training and procedures your organization currently has in place. Today, I want to share some pointers on how facilitators can instill diversity and inclusion into courses focused on decision-making. There are a number of ways to do this, and I’m sharing some of the strategies I’ve found to be most effective with you here. Teach others to practice tracking group interactions with an Inclusion Lens. Set-up role plays of group discussions and have observers track…
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To Infuse Diversity and Inclusion, Everyone Needs to Understand the WHY
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” – Goethe You recognize the value of embracing diversity. And you feel good about that realization. But it’s not enough. Everyone at your organization must commit to infusing equity and inclusion at every level. You MUST do something, to take action and implement effective solutions for inclusion and social justice in your organization. Knowledge + Action = Meaningful, Sustainable, Systemic Change It isn’t enough to know the benefits of diversity and an inclusive culture. You must infuse inclusion into your organization’s policies, practices, training and procedures. Embracing diversity in the workplace inspires, motivates and creates a…
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Think You’ll Never Overcome Being Called Racist?
Can you imagine how different our world would be if – when faced with our racist comments – we each chose to embrace the moment and humbly, honestly and authentically engage people of color? But defensive behaviors, fears, unproductive thoughts and feelings keep us stuck – and ineffective as white allies. The ways we choose to react out of deep fear of being called racist undermines our core values and vision of ourselves as effective change agents. But there IS another way. The first step is to recognize – and own – our fears and defensive reactions. 5 Common Racist Behaviors and Attitudes of Whites In my free, 1-hour webinar…
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Having to dig deep today as a change agent
As a change agent, I have committed my life to teaching and sharing the skills and strategies to navigate difficult situations and create truly inclusive, socially just organizations while maintaining the passion and energy critical to create meaningful, sustainable change. But today, I am struggling to use these tools in my own life. On a roller coaster, wondering what it is all for… This roller coaster of extreme emotions from Alabama last week to the tax scam this week… from feeling so useful this week as I coached so many brilliant, talented people to waking up today wondering what it is all for…. And yet I know we will move…
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Just what is a change agent? Are you one?
What is a change agent, exactly? I hear this question a lot. Too often, people believe that you have to be a senior leader or someone with some advanced or specialized level of training to be a change agent. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and I want to help dispel that myth right here. Defining a Change Agent To help you understand the definition of what a change agent is, I find it helpful to explain it in the context of a few key questions: Do people regularly come to you for advice, counseling and/or coaching? You can be a change agent. Are you concerned or frustrated with…
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You’re not racist…or are you?
When I was growing up, “racist” to me meant the KKK, white supremacy, white nationalists – those types of terms. So, I came to believe that I was a “good” white since I wasn’t one of those people. After all, “racist” meant you were a horrible person, evil. How many of you reading this can relate? The book I wish I had… On reflecting, I think I wrote my book, “…But I’m NOT Racist! Tools for Well-Meaning Whites,” for my younger self. This is the book I wish I had read and the support I wish I had decades ago. Why? It wouldn’t have taken me this long to get…
