Overview
Certainly training and development will be a key piece of any diversity and inclusion effort. Its value is apparent on multiple levels as it enables awareness of preconceived notions, transfers the tools and techniques to address the issues and opportunities, and sets the stage for any adjustments in workplace culture. Here is the key point though and possibly a controversial one.
Far too much training and development centers on securing a change in the "attitude" of individuals who may not be as keen on the advantages of a diverse workforce. Although it is a noble goal to it is largely outside of the reach of the organization. In other words, as much as we'd like to, we cannot force people to think a certain way. Though bias and prejudice may be unwanted, everyone has a "right" to their own views.
The real issue is how you behave and how you treat others when you accept employment as a member of "this organization".
Why you should Attend
There is generally a long list of known barriers that every organization is faced with and that have the potential to minimize productivity. These include the common culprits of gender, ethnicity, age, and work styles.
However, there are two critical reasons why a comprehensive assessment of barriers is essential. For one, it is likely that the productive impact of those known issues is not equal. Without a focus on which specific issues need attention the impact will be diffused.
Secondly, it is likely that even more critical issues that aren't evident in that list of known barriers may be uncovered. For example, the impact of functional differences is a huge and often innocuous contributor to barriers. Different functions in the same organizations often speak different"languages" and possess different work cultures. These core issues then amplify the more visible ones.
Areas Covered in the Session
- What is inclusion and why does it matter?
- Identify the range of inclusion opportunities based on cultural differences
- How to have productive conversation around the key issues in inclusion
- Determine how inclusion can enhance organizational effectiveness
- Examine ways to creatively and effectively address challenges
- How to apply key management and supervisory skills to support recruitment and retention strategies
Who Will Benefit
- Anyone in a leadership role
Speaker Profile
LeRoy Thompson is Managing Director Of Thompson & Associates. He is a Certified Virtual Presenter with expertise in the development and delivery of training programs on more than twenty distinct topics. He has worked with over 150 client organizations and trained over 47,000 participants over the course of his career.
His training programs, work sessions, conference presentations, and keynote speeches all receive rave reviews. He is a dynamic instructor, energetic facilitator, and insightful consultant. His delivery balances his depth of knowledge with an appropriate mix of warmth and humor.
LeRoy's work in the public sector has included training and organizational development projects for the U.S. departments of Education, Environmental Protection, Defense, Interior, Commerce, Treasury, Health And Human Services, Energy, Agriculture, Justice, NASA, the Michigan Department of Community Health, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Ohio Department Of Public Welfare, Governor’s Office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Riverside County (CA), Fairfax County (VA), and Sarasota County (FL). Private sector and not-for-profit organizations include Citigroup, BMW, Gannett, Corning Inc., Motorola, Lockheed Martin, Sallie Mae, Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way of America, and the American Press Institute.
Prior to founding Thompson & Associates, he was an Associate with McKinsey & Company in their Washington, DC office. He has been a Practice Leader with Kepner-Tregoe in the Worldwide Strategy practice
as well as a Senior Consultant with Booz, Allen and Hamilton, specializing in change management projects with Federal agencies.
LeRoy was educated at Harvard University where he received a bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature and Language, and a master’s degree in Finance and International Business from Columbia University School of Business. His AMA-By-Satellite television broadcast of “Written Skills for Business Communications” received the ‘Best of Business Television’ Award. His book, “Mastering the Challenges of Change” received a Newberry Book Club award. His article “E Commerce-Changing the Rules of Strategy Implementation” was published by Strategy and Leadership magazine.