Training Offerings

Belonging First™ & Psychological Safety

When we have a sense of Belonging in our workplaces, we’re motivated, engaged, and productive. We form lasting, positive, significant interpersonal relationships at work and in our social circles. Yet many organizations find it difficult to cultivate an environment where work team members feel as though they belong. In this training, we will discover, identify, understand, and execute thought processes and behaviors that foster a culture of Belonging in our organizations.

• Define and practically apply the concept of Belonging
• Explore the impact of our identities on our sense of Belonging
• Develop competencies to create Psychological Safety on the journey to Belonging
• Customize and craft personal and professional Belonging practices

Sessions

Belonging 101 – Introduction to Belonging (1 hr)
Belonging is a complex term that has different meanings for different people. The interconnectedness of its social, emotional, and physical concepts can be difficult to identify. Yet, we know that shared emotions connect people to objects and places, and shared sentiments bring people together and foster greater satisfaction and well-being. This session introduces participants to belongingness and how belongingness serves as a long-term outcome that promotes and sustains inclusion.

In-Group/Out-Group Identities (1 hr)
In-group favoritism and out-group ostracization have profound effects on Belongingness. While each of us has intersectional identities, our identity narratives reflect who we believe we are and who we desire to be. These narratives also connect us to or separate us from others who do not align with our identities. There are emotional investments in belonging and being attached to particular places, spaces, objects, and social commonalities, and the identity we attribute to or desire for these. This session introduces participants to in-group/out-group identities and how to leverage these identities to foster Belongingness.

Psychological Safety (1.5 hr)
Belonging and the need to belong or be connected with others is recognized as a fundamental human need, drive, and desire akin to food and water. In the workplace, we see that one of the critical factors in Belonging is psychological safety. When people feel that they can participate, learn, and grow in an organization, they become psychologically safe, which leads to a strong feeling of Belongingness. This session introduces participants to the concept of psychological safety in the workplace and how it promotes Belongingness.

Creating a Culture of Belongingness (1.5 hr)
The power to create belonging rests with each of us. Those with social and political influence can employ that influence to create belonging for the less influential. Those who are less influential can use agency and cultivate belonging for themselves and their peers. This session introduces participants to the best practices for promoting Belongingness in the workplace.

DEI Assessment

The DEI assessment process starts with obtaining data both qualitative and quantitative, on key DEI measurements. Assessment is the key first step to any successful DEI plan. It will allow your organization to identify areas of opportunity for improvements. This session will provide you with the necessary steps for your organization's DEI Assessment.

DEI Certificate

The entire world continues to become more diverse, and that includes employees, customers and clients across the profit, non-profit and government sectors. In today’s climate, all professionals need to understand the basics of diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI is about much more than simple compliance; to succeed in today’s world in any aspect of business or services, enterprises must leverage diversity for strategic advantage and have DEI integrated into all aspects of their operations.

• The basic definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion; including the evolution of the diversity field and theories of diversity.
• A deep dive into the many dimensions of diversity.
• The compelling business case of diversity, equity and inclusion, including how to calculate a financial business case.
• Why and how DEI must be part of any organization’s core strategy.
• An introduction on the various organizational processes that DEI can impact.
• An introduction on how to build DEI into your organizational culture.

DEI Strategy & Planning

The DEI Strategy and Planning for Leaders workshop conjoins the intersections of core concepts and tools from the disciplines of Change/Transformation, Leader Accountability, Measurement/Accountability, and Action Learning from the Applied Behavioral Sciences.

The intended purpose of this experiential workshop is to help DEI practitioners gain a deeper understanding of the various levels of system they must attend to when creating robust and sustainable DEI system wide change.

Participants will gain insights from the latest research and action learning techniques. Some of the core activities will include experiential exercises such as group coaching, case study small group work, and action planning in your own organization as you move forward.

• DEI Change/Transformation Models and Best Practices
• Measurement/Accountability Best Practices and Models
• Key Leader Engagement and Accountability
• Group Coaching + Open Q&A Opportunities
• Small Group Case Study Discussion (for applied learning and insights)
• Action Planning (for future reference in your organization)

Emerging Leaders

The C-suite has never been closer and within reach. Labor statistics indicate within less than a decade the majority of executive leadership positions will be vacant as senior leaders retire or exit the workforce, creating new and exciting leadership opportunities for emerging leaders. The question is, as an emerging leader, will you be prepared for these opportunities when they arise? More importantly, will you have the requisite skills and savvy to successfully make the transition to executive levels of leadership? This certificate is designed to help prepare you, as an emerging leader, for a successful career in leadership positions. This session will prepare you to:

• Understand effective approaches to leading in different organization contexts
• Understand and leverage your leadership design in challenging leadership situations
• Read organizational culture and create an organizational culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion
• Successfully navigate organizational culture and transcend negative, organizational politics
• Identify and develop your leadership values for decision-making and judgment—one of the most critical competencies for executive level leadership

Employee Resource Group (ERG) Strategy Workshop

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in fostering inclusion, building community, and amplifying diverse voices within organizations. This workshop is designed to equip participants with the tools and strategies needed to launch, sustain, and maximize the impact of ERGs.

Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on planning exercises, participants will explore best practices for:

• Defining ERG missions and aligning them with organizational values.
• Building leadership structures and securing executive sponsorship.
• Developing impactful programming and initiatives.
• Measuring success and demonstrating ERG value to the business.
• Creating pathways for collaboration between ERGs and leadership.

Executive Leadership Development

Most executives learn leadership on the job, which means they can acquire toxic and outdated modes of leading that no longer work in today’s complex and diverse environments. So, we developed the Executive Leadership Development Certificate to equip leaders with the most current information and methods to help them be effective. Designed to give you a leadership edge, this program covers a range of in-depth topics from leading with emotional intelligence to navigating organizational politics. Participants in the Executive Leadership Development Certificate will:

• Learn a range of leadership models to adopt a personal leadership design
• Understand and apply values-based leadership in critical decision-making and judgement
• Design an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion
• Understanding and overcoming the unwritten rules that govern politics
• Understand the principles of leading with emotional intelligence
• Learn the use of power and influence while developing savvy and executive presence

Inclusive Leadership

The demographics of the USA continue to rapidly change, and in two decades we will be a “Majority Minority” country. In addition, the internet economy enables organizations to have employees, suppliers and customers anywhere in the world. As the employee base, management teams, and even executive leadership becomes more diverse, the most successful leaders will need to practice inclusive leadership. Today more than ever, we need business leaders who assert their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community. This session will include:

• The business case for inclusive leadership – why is it critical in today’s rapidly changing world.
• The growing areas of diversity that leaders need to understand – gender and gender identity, race, generational, cultural, sexual orientation, people with disabilities, cognitive and more
• A deep look at the characteristics of an inclusive leader.
• How inclusive leaders be allies and mentors to diverse communities.

Leading People & Teams

Leading People & Teams provides the foundations for understanding the behavior of individuals and teams in organizations. This training takes an application-oriented approach to managing and leading individuals and groups in the workplace. Using relevant exercises, case analyses, and engaging discussion, attendees will increase their understanding of drivers of individual behavior, processes underlying motivation, rewards, and how to measure performance. Attendees will also learn the fundamentals of group dynamics, learn how to lead and participate in groups, manage conflict and negotiate more effectively.

Sessions include:

• Foundational Aspects of Human Behavior
• Workplace Motivation and Reward
• Measuring Performance and Providing Effective Feedback
• Negotiation and Crisis Management
• Leading Effective Hybrid & Multicultural Teams