culture

Worst Practices in Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Seven Things to Avoid

Not all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training efforts are created equal. While recent events have prompted many organizations to focus on improving their DEI efforts, these initiatives often fail over the long term. They sound good and they’re well-intentioned, so why aren’t they more successful? In this final installment…

diversity

Emerging Trends and Opportunities in Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Recent events in America have revealed a chasm that’s existed for hundreds of years: systemic racism. To address it, many organizations are attempting to create stronger diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) change agendas. We’ve asked three experts to weigh in on recent trends they’ve seen in workplace DEI initiatives and the steps…

brainstorming

Breaking the Brainstorming Habit

When I first became a trained mediator in the mid-90s, brainstorming was all the rage. Management journals touted the benefits of hosting in-person, group brainstorming to promote creativity in organizations.  Leadership associations sponsored trainings on how to lead visual brainstorming activities in meetings.  In fact, mediation course curriculums always included…

words have power

Words and Phrases that Transform Conversations

Language is a key factor in both causing and resolving conflict. A useful phrase that helps resolve and reduce conflict is “Can you help me understand”. Example: “Can you help me understand how you think that would help our reputation?” It is all too easy to attack another person by…

meeting agenda

What You Can Do to Make Your Next Meeting More Effective

If you are responsible for an item on a meeting agenda, apply these simple criteria to make sure the time you are given is productive for everyone attending the meeting. Do you want discussion? NO:  If the answer is no, be sure to advise attendees right away that this part…

employees

Helping Employees Get the Most out of Meetings

The larger the group, the less responsibility each individual group member may feel for contributing to the efforts and overall success of the group.  In essence, the more people present in the room or in the meeting, the easier it is for each individual person to feel less motivated and…

Icebreakers

4 Rules for Icebreakers with Purpose

The purpose of a good icebreaker is to help the people attending a meeting or training to connect, get to know one another, build rapport, and break down barriers to communication.  These four easy-to-follow rules will help you transform the beginning of your next meeting or training session into a…

mindset

Bringing a Co-Elevation Mindset to Your Organization

How can leaders ensure employees are productive, accountable and still engaged after weeks and weeks of uncertainty and stress?  The answer is – they can’t. Even prior to the current pandemic, when workplaces were considered relatively “normal”, leaders couldn’t just magically make those things happen. Even the best leaders can’t…

oxymoron

Happiness at Work – an Oxymoron?

I’ll bet when I say the phrase “work meeting”, the first word that jumps to your mind isn’t “happiness.” In fact, after weeks of one virtual meeting after another, your reaction may be the exact opposite of happiness and include an extreme eye roll while you think to yourself, “not…

Dreams 2b

Dreams are Free

After switching jobs just a few short months ago, I was fortunate to become part of my first women’s Mastermind group.  If you aren’t familiar with Mastermind groups, there are lots of varieties out there but basically, it’s a peer-to-peer mentoring group where members offer support, feedback, ideas and advice…