SEF-BUS8606 - Courageous Inclusion

Course Description

Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce can foster higher employee engagement, increase creativity, and attract new talent, customers, and investors. But many organizations that have decided to make progress in their DEI efforts face unexpected challenges. These efforts often increase awareness of diversity and inclusion issues and build empathy among those in privilege, but they don’t yield measurable improvements. Even people who are more aware of DEI gaps and their own unconscious biases struggle to make progress in creating more diverse and inclusive environments. It is important to provide your people with a way to confidently and safely raise DEI issues to create a more inclusive workplace. Building awareness and getting people familiar with DEI terminology isn’t enough to effect lasting change. Courageous Inclusion™ is based on diversity and inclusion expert Jennifer Brown’s proven developmental continuum. Courageous Inclusion teaches people a mindset that promotes diversity and inclusion as well as a process to become more knowledgeable and active proponents of inclusion in their workplace.

Course Outline

Participants prepare for the cohort learning experience by completing a few pre-session assignments.
Welcomes participants and sets the context for the learning experience.
Courageous Inclusion Mindset & Model—Presents the three components of the Courageous Inclusion mindset and describes the model. Invites participants to identify their stage for the inclusion issue they are focusing on.

Stage 1: Unaware—Explores obstacles to knowing you’re Unaware and introduces unconscious bias as a foundation.
Stage 2: Aware—Explores privilege as an important factor to understand oneself in order to be more inclusive. Time for reflection and discussion in small groups.
Stage 3: Active—Explores various aspects of being Active, including risks. Allows participants time to reflect and discuss in small groups.
Stage 4: Advocate—Reviews the characteristics of Advocate. Presents one person’s experience as an advocate for self and others.
Courageous Inclusion Journey and Action Plan—Invites participants to envision their own journey and discuss. Introduces and explains the Courageous Inclusion Action Plan and provides coaching as needed.
Wrap Up and Apply—Participants review key learnings and get introduced to APPLY resources to continue their journey.
 

Learner Outcomes

As a result of Courageous Inclusion, your participants will:
•    Advocate the benefits of inclusion for themselves, their coworkers, and their organization
•    Challenge assumptions, biases, and privilege
•    Embrace differences with curiosity and respect
•    Prioritize justice and equality for themselves and others
•    Build empathy and foster authenticity
•    Progress to higher levels of inclusion
•    Help coworkers feel more appreciated and connected
•    Have meaningful conversations that bring DEI to life