Building a more inclusive workplace through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is about developing a culture where we can leverage our differences and avoid risks, especially in multicultural groups. At Prospera Training Solutions, we strongly believe in the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion, not just because it is advantageous, but because it is the right thing to do.
Even if employees speak the same language, they face different perceptions caused by individual differences and cultural backgrounds. As a result, diverse organizations face increased challenges due to communication and cultural differences.
By supporting and promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, companies are discovering that they are gaining benefits in business performance, innovation, and engagement. However, even industry-leading organizations also encounter higher levels of misunderstandings and miscommunications caused by cultural differences.
When planning to achieve higher levels of diversity, it is important to find ways to incorporate more women and other under-represented groups in management positions, and also adequately prepare workplaces to welcome people with disabilities. Each organization’s needs are different, so there is no one-fits-all solution. Instead, we propose to start with this basic first step: self- and another-awareness based on these action items:
- Help employees – especially managers – become more aware of how unconscious biases could lead to exclusion.
- Provide teams with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working across cultures.
- Understand how to communicate effectively while avoiding common misunderstandings among people from different backgrounds.
- Raise confidence when discussing and addressing problems in a multicultural team.
- Find ways to enhance an inclusiveness mindset and culture in the workplace.
Our Facilitation Dynamics
Prospera Training Solutions facilitates our DEI training programs by driving discussions and guiding participants. We do not lecture. Instead, we provide the tools and discussions so that teams can self-discover the best way forward. This approach allows participants to assume responsibility for their own learning experience, ensuring interactive learner-centered and problem-based learning, while dealing with a highly-sensitive topic.
What are the Benefits?
With our DEI module, we help teams:
- Become aware of how unconscious biases could lead to exclusive behaviors and microaggressions.
- Facilitate positive intergroup interaction, reduce prejudice, and eliminate discrimination.
- Enhance the knowledge of cultural differences, from country norms to identity.
- Enable continued improvement to make diversity, equity, and inclusion part of every major workforce initiative in a way that strengthens corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Participants also achieve self-developmental goals including:
- Work better with people with different abilities, backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations.
- Become more inclusive of all types of employees and understand the benefits of doing so.
- Describe the actions needed to create a greater sense of belonging for everyone.
If you are developing solutions aimed at making your workplace more inclusive, our Unconscious Bias and Diversity e-learning course offers an effective way to cover sensitive topics with a mindful, yet entertaining, approach.
Learn more about Unconscious Bias & Diversity Essentials
Our Unconscious Bias and Diversity course includes:
- Inclusive Leadership
- Respect and Inclusion at Work
- Thinking of Others
- Unconscious Bias
- Workplace Diversity
Topics/Videos:
- Allocating roles
- Listen out for all voices
- Maintaining harmony and dignity
- One person’s banter is another person’s bullying
- Inclusion means celebrating diversity not ignoring it
- Look for your customer’s unique needs
- Events and logistics
- An introduction to unconscious bias
- Being busy or bothered beefs up the bias
- Overcoming unconscious bias
- Find out about people – don’t even try to guess
- Neurodiversity
- Think beyond the binary
- Trans awareness
▶Watch an exclusive video interview with DEI Matter Expert Femi Otitoju
Femi Otitoju is a nationally recognised diversity and inclusion specialist in the field of organisational development. Femi founded Challenge Consultancy in 1985 to provide high quality, effective training and consulting services. With a strong reputation for getting results in the higher education sector, Femi is much sought after as a speaker for conferences and events as well as for her training and consultancy work.
Contact us today for more information on how to continue developing a culture of respect and inclusion at your organization.
About the Author
Alberto Sanz
Senior Manager, Innovative Solutions and Design
With 20 years of experience in business development and consulting, Alberto helps organizations create efficient environments to facilitate change and innovation.
He is a Master Certified Consultant in Astrolabe Change System and a Co-Society Innovation Network representative in Japan.
