Diversity, Inclusion & Transformation Training Workshops
Who Should Attend?
All staff in an organisation, at every level. It is best if a business undertakes a company-wide intervention where all staff from MD to the lowest level employees interact together.
Programme Outcomes:
Through the use of experiential exercises, practical examples and interactive information sessions, this workshop will enable participants to:
- Explore typical diversity challenges in South African business and their relation to South African Employment Equity Law
- Understand the meaning and value of diversity in a company culture
- Thoroughly examine Prejudice, Stereotypes, and Unconscious Bias
- Gain a better understanding and tolerance of the different South African cultures, languages and many other aspects of Diversity
- Understand the true nature of “Inclusion” by examining one’s own paradigms
- Communicate sensitively and openly with diverse team members and colleagues
Course Outline:
Pre-Training
- Online perception survey questionnaire for self-assessment and training room discussion
- Clarifying terminology – “Diversity”, “Inclusion”, “Unconscious Bias” and “Stereotypes”
Session 1 : Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion
- Feedback and discussion – Self-Awareness Questionnaire and perception survey
- Introduction to Diversity
- Questions and Discussion – meaning of Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity Activity and Breakaway Session
Session 2 : The Legal and Social Context for Diversity &Transformation
- Employment Equity Legislation
- Fair and Unfair Discrimination; Direct and Indirect Discrimination
- Group Discussion – The Competitive Edge that Diversity Brings
Session 3 : Understanding Culture
- Defining “Culture” and Dimensions of Culture
- Elements of typical South African Cultures
- Group Discussions – South African Culture Examples and Experiences
- Post Session Reading: Elements of South African Cultures, Religions, and Different Cultural Norms and Values
- Post Session Exercise – Reflecting on your own Cultural Identity
Session 4 : Business and Dominant Cultural Norms
- Feedback on Session 3 Exercise – Cultural Identity Discussions
- Examining Dominant and Business Cultural Norms
- Group Discussion – Valued Management Traits
- Exercise in Exclusionary Practice and Shared Experiences
- Feedback and Discussion on Cultural Identity vs Business Culture
- Enhancing Sensitivity Regarding Differences in Age, Gender, Language, Background, Orientation, Education, Disability, and other Differences
- Post Session Exercise on Business Inclusion Practices
Session 5 : Socialization & Stereotypes
- Understanding Socialisation
- Exploring Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotyping
- Group Discussion on How and Why Stereotyping is Common
- Group Exercise and Reflection: Stereotypes and Unconscious Bias
- Individual Exercise: Examining our Own Socialisation and Socialisation Influences
- Personal Reflection Exercise – Revealing your Prejudices and Stereotypes
Session 6 : Conflict and Communication
- Group Discussion – Feedback on Session 5 Exercise on Stereotypes
- Deciding when to Communicate / Challenge Prejudice
- How to (and how not to) Communicate / Challenge Prejudice or Exclusion Practices
- Group Discussion or Exercise for Action Plans
- Preparation for Session 7: Stop-Start Action Plan for Personal Change
Session 7 : Leading Change
- Group Discussion and Individual Feedback on Action Plans
- Strategies for Leading an Inclusive Organizational Culture
- Planning Next Steps
Comprehensive training material is provided to all participants in the form of workbooks or pdf documents and links. Post-training support tools are provided as required.