Combining 15 years of research with practicality, optimism and humor

What's it About?

This program is designed to teach key strategies that build understanding and cooperation among those who are different. Discussion will center around how the global economy affects the workforce; why changing demographics impact the work environment; what operational procedures, management practices, and skills focus on behaviors which depend upon key principles involved in valuing the strengths and the differences of all employees.

Who Should See It?

Designed for senior managers and staff in large organizations, it provides valuable insights to all, from the most seasoned manager to the newest staff member.

Who Did This Come From?

Around the world, the make up of our workforce is changing dramatically.  Women, people of color, and immigrants represent growing percentages of the present workforce.  In North America, for instance, women are almost two-thirds of all entrants into the workforce.  One out of four people are African-American, Hispanic or Asian-American.  Two million “older” workers, between ages 50 and 64, are ready, willing, and able to work and are not being fully utilized.  People with disabilities seek equal opportunity in employment. Both Canadian and US laws recognize and support the equality of these diverse groups and similar initiatives are seen in other areas of the globe, especially large, urban/cosmopolitan areas.

Most people come to work with good intentions, yet we still get on each other's nerves just by being ourselves.  Co-workers, customers, and suppliers do not respond to our good intentions. They respond to our behavior. By focusing on behavior, workshop participants will experience how individual behavior heats up or cools down the emotional climate of the work environment.

Diverse groups bring different expectations in communication and work styles, needs, and values. Everyone must learn to make diversity an asset in the workplace.  When people with various backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles are trying to provide a service or promote teamwork, smooth interactions can become a challenge.  Finding new ways to work together requires thinking about people’s differences in order not to divide, separate or exclude, but to take advantage of those differences.  We need to create environments that welcome and encourage the benefits of our diverse workplace.

What Does It Cover? Corporate Vision and Values Why Diversity Matters Benefits of Valuing Diversity Employment Equity An Evolving Population Attitude Evolution Changing Demographics To Adapt or Not? Cultural and Behavioral Differences Understanding Culture Exploring the Dimensions What Makes Each of Us Unique? Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes Biases, Assumptions, and Inferences Prejudices and Stereotypes Promoting a Culture of Inclusion Star Trek Principles Creating Synergy Increasing Competence REAL Communication Working with a Diverse Population Nonverbal Communication Communicating with People with Disabilities Respectful and Empathic Communicating Preventative Measures and Guidelines for Saying “Stop” Legislating Behavior Creating a Path Forward

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Susan Luke
susan@susanluke.com
Phone: +1-210-643-4367
Toll Free (in North America) +1-888-228-1738
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