15 Oct I Facilitated a DEI Session in the DMV Area (Video)

Most of my workshops are on-site and outside the DMV area. Last week, however, I facilitated a workshop in the DMV area on the theme of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

This theme is one of my favorites. I like it because it is different from the other themes I love facilitating.

As a learning professional, facilitating a DEI session is challenging on multiple fronts. I presume it also makes many of the participants uncomfortable.

Who blames them?! Conducting public debates on any theme is nerve-racking. Imagine how engaging in public discussion about ‘uncomfortable’ topics such as stereotyping, biases, discrimination, and so on would make you…

DEI is important to all teams, organizations, and communities with diverse members. The data shows that companies that achieve ‘true diversity’ outperform, outearn, outperform, and out-innovate those that do not.

Here is the truth. Many organizations attained the bare minimum of diversity. However, very few went beyond diversity and created an inclusive culture. They not only brought diverse people to the table but also mixed the people at the table very well.

If you’re interested in getting the full context of why companies should go beyond mere diversity and how to achieve truly inclusive culture, check this blog I wrote recently: https://drazhabtewold.com/going-beyond-diversity/

By the way, I am aware that DEI is a point of contention. Some support, advocate for, and promote it, while others remain skeptical.

If DEI programs are designed and delivered properly, they can bring tremendous results and a win-win for the culture’s inhabitants and the greater good.

I’m proud of our DEI programs. We design them based on the latest adult learning principles. Plus, we start each session by setting up a safe atmosphere for participants to reflect, share, ask questions, and engage in constructive dialogues.

That is exactly what happened in the workshop I facilitated last week. I need help fully describing how engaging the session was. You must be in the room to fully appreciate participants’ constructive dialogue.

A quick disclaimer: One DEI workshop can’t result in an equitable and inclusive culture. However, it lays a solid foundation for building a truly diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible culture.

It provides the necessary insights, models, tools, and strategies participants need to return to the workplace and play their fair share in creating and sustaining a truly inclusive culture by becoming cultural change agents and Cultural Ambassadors.

If you haven’t yet, check out the short video attached here. In this video, I explained why only a few organizations and teams have achieved truly inclusive cultures. I also shared one of the challenges of creating an inclusive and equitable culture: micro-aggressions. I also offered one strategy to combat micro-inequities: receiving and Providing Feedback.