World Religions 101 for the Workplace

Our world is becoming a more interesting and complex place, as people from various cultures come to live and work together.

Do you ever wonder what the turban signifies to your Sikh co–worker, or what values your Hindu boss holds most deeply, or what most inspires your Buddhist employee? This unique workshop offers a helpful overview of common themes found in some of our world's most ancient spiritual traditions.

Understanding more about the basic belief and value systems of your co-workers and clients will help to avert potentially uncomfortable situations. This particular cultural sensitivity will contribute considerably towards the sense of mutual appreciation that builds truly harmonious professional relationships.

Another Angle on Emotional Intelligence

Have you ever thought about the parallels between Daniel Goleman's research on Emotional Intelligence as a profound success indicator for managers in an organization - and the teachings of Lao Tzu, or Daniel Quinn's "Deep Change," "The Things I Learned in Kindergarten," or Kohlberg's "Stages of Moral Development"?

If you, like us, find your learning is reinforced and your understanding deepened and integrated through the recognition of patterns, then engage in a deeper discussion with us that you can continue to explore with your colleagues and fellow sojourners.

Beyond Diversity: Ally-ship

Many positive social changes would not have taken place if not for those who strove to be allies to others who suffered under unfair systems. (For example, many Suffragettes were men, and most Abolitionists were white.)

Truly effective and self-generating diversity initiatives must go beyond simply tolerating differences in order to ward off potential EEO lawsuits. Many diversity programs gloss over the broader social contexts within which women, people of color, the disabled, and other groups struggle, both in and beyond the workplace. And, as many have discovered, some of these superficial initiatives would better not have been tried at all because of the cynicism they often produce.

In a few short hours, expand your awareness that "greater sensitivity" and "multi-cultural awareness" ring shallow if not accompanied by a deeper understanding of how diverse groups can "stand with" and be allies to one another. Build It—and they will come: Extend real understanding and trust — and a highly functioning diverse team that is truly engaged with one another will come, stay the course, and grow.

Most racial diversity training ignores the “elephant in the room.”  Simply talking around “appreciating differences” eludes the fact that our places of business are not islands, but exist within a broader social fabric. 

After such programs, the white people often wonder what the point was, and the people of color are left feeling, once again, let down, and cynical.  And so, nothing changes, as our colleagues of color continue to feel invisible and leave the office less likely to hail a cab, get the better restaurant tables, or feel safe in certain neighborhoods.

But, there's another way... That will increase comfort and trust, and will allow better communication to occur – and as a result, diversity and a more effective work environment can flourish.  And, no less importantly, other positive changes can then emanate into our broader communities

Navigating Cross-Cultural Life in the Big City!

American businesses [as well as some NGO's] often possess considerable technical information, but generally lag way behind in understanding the norms and worldviews of those from other cultures with whom they are dealing. At times these errors are amusing, and others have very serious consequences. Explore various means by which cultural anthropologists measure and understand views and norms related to various important social aspects, such as ethics, communications, gestures, emotions, status, time, and destiny.

—Be sure what those hands of yours are saying!!

The Art of Strategic Planning

You'll never think of Strategic Planning in the same way again. Yes, we've even found a way to make reviewing the basics of this essential organizational success tool actually kind of fun! After reviewing the basic components of strategic planning, we'll run through the model by devising a collaborative plan for winning at the Art of love — "The Strategic Plan to get your Man" — or Woman, as the case may be.

How to Conduct an Appreciative Inquiry:
Building on Your Organization's Strengths as Your Own Consultant

Too often, organizational change approaches begin with an eye towards "problem" solving: looking for what's not working and what or who is to blame. Such efforts often raise defensiveness and increase anxiety about potential change. Employee resistance often dooms even the best-intentioned change initiatives.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a methodology that asserts that whatever you want more of already exists in organizations, and, if fostered and built upon, leaves little room for unconstructive practices.

The data gathered through this simple and effective methodology provides invaluable information, insights, and enthusiasm for your strategic planning through a process that continues to engage everyone in the organizational strengthening initiatives that emerge.

Our workshop will walk you through the AI methodology: 1) Creating your overall plan and timeline; 2) Training staff or volunteers to conduct interviews; 3) Compiling and preparing the data; 4) and Structuring your ensuing planning retreats and processes.

An AI program can be especially helpful to smaller non-profits and volunteer associations that typically lack resources to hire organizational development consultants to guide strategic planning and organizational change initiatives.