Power imbalances can negatively impact relationships, group dynamics, and productivity at work. This engaging and enlightening DEI training session will help participants grasp the concept of intersectionality and how their various identities shape their experiences, as well as those with whom they interact at work. By fostering this awareness, attendees will be inspired to explore how their identities can empower them to speak up and support those facing adversity and challenges, leading to a more empowered, balanced and collaborative work culture.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of intersectionality and its personal relevance. Acknowledge that their intersectional identities influence their access to resources and knowledge.
• Learn about the significance of creating safe spaces for open and honest discussions.
• Reflect on their own identities and assess their impact on their life experiences.
• Recognize their potential to leverage their identities to assist individuals facing barriers.
• Engage in discussions on utilizing their insights as Allies and Advocates.
• Acquire skills to establish and maintain safe spaces within their environments.
• Understand the importance of initiating courageous conversations.
• Develop an action plan with SMART goals to drive meaningful progress.

The above presentation can be a half-day or full-day interactive and experiential workshop, or be broken down into three separate, shorter presentations:

1. Foster Safe Spaces: Easy Way to Empower Courageous Conversations

When people don’t feel safe at work to speak up, they shut down, leading to decreased productivity, problem solving and collaboration. This initial training session is designed to lay the groundwork for fostering open and constructive dialogues aimed at driving positive outcomes in teams and organizations. Participants will be equipped with strategies for building supportive and effective group dynamics, encompassing effective communication techniques, the use of affirming language and behavior, adopting supportive roles, providing constructive feedback in a constructive manner, enhancing active listening skills, and understanding the pivotal roles of compassion and respect in these environments.

2. Explore Your Intersectionality: Quick Methods to Understand Our Diverse Identities & Contributions

If we don’t possess self-awareness, we can inadvertently impair relationships with those we communicate with during the workday. Self-awareness is the top attribute for which top companies such as Google look for in job candidates, because it is the key to emotional intelligence and success in the workplace. This follow-up workshop delves deeper into how the complexities of our personal experiences have shaped our identities. Participants will explore historical perspectives on intersectionality, examining how individual identities are formed and their profound impacts, personally and professionally. Attendees will engage in activities to map out their intersectional identities to increase self-awareness, compassion and EQ.

3. Strengthen Allyship & Advocacy: Practical Steps to Leverage Intersectional Understanding for Workplace Success

In order to correct systemic power imbalances that harm employees’ workplace culture, we need to empower allies and advocates to support and empower others. This training session reinforces previous learning by revisiting resources and milestones achieved, and guides participants in developing practical personal and professional plans to amplify their roles as strong allies and advocates. Utilizing intersectionality identity maps, attendees will expand their repertoire of supportive strategies. Discussions will cover the significance of allies and advocates and their collective impact. Resources on common practices will be shared, alongside opportunities for creating tailored action plans. The session will also facilitate group discussions and the formation of accountability partnerships.