Practice Respect: Diversity

What your team will learn

• Explain the dimensions of diversity and why they matter to your business
• Communicate respectfully across cultural differences and clear up misunderstandings
• Practise allyship by speaking up for underrepresented colleagues
• Resolve conflict in a diverse team respectfully, and keep everyone working together

1. Weeks1–2

   Foundations of diversity and inclusion

   1. Introduction to diversity

      The many dimensions of diversity, why they matter, and the business case for a diverse workplace.

   2. Unconscious bias

      Recognizing unconscious bias and its effect at work, and practical ways to reduce it.

2. Weeks3–4

   Respectful communication in a diverse workplace

   1. Effective communication

      The principles of respectful communication, and active listening that helps you understand other perspectives.

   2. Cross-cultural communication

      Communicating clearly across cultural differences, and working through the barriers and misunderstandings that get in the way.

3. Weeks5–6

   Inclusive leadership

   1. Leading for inclusion

      What leaders can do to promote inclusion, and how to create psychological safety on a diverse team.

   2. Allyship and advocacy

      What allyship means, why it matters, and practising how to speak up for underrepresented colleagues.

4. Weeks7–8

   Building inclusive teams

   1. Inclusion within a team

      Fostering inclusion inside a team, and building a diverse team that is cohesive and performs well.

   2. Conflict and inclusion

      Resolving conflict in a diverse team with respect, and encouraging people to cooperate and collaborate.

5. Week9

   Sustaining inclusion

   1. Keeping inclusion going

      Making action plans that keep inclusion going, reviewing progress and finding where to improve.

   2. Wrap-up and review

      A look back at the course, and a chance for your team to give feedback on it.

How the sessions work

• Role-plays and case studiesRole-plays, case studies and group discussions that put each week's ideas into practice.
• ReadingsRecommended articles and resources for anyone who wants to go further.
• Online forumAn interactive space for ongoing discussion and support from peers.
• One-on-one coachingIndividual coaching sessions with personal feedback and guidance.

Who it's for

• Staff at every level, from front-line employees to senior leaders
• Teams where people from many cultures and backgrounds work side by side
• Leaders who want a team where people feel safe to speak up