When dialoguing across difference, applying the bridges model can help you guide the conversation toward more positive and productive outcomes.  The model is found in our Dialogue Across Difference training.

As divisiveness has escalated, so has the need for meaningful dialogue and connection where people can share what they are feeling and experiencing both in and outside the workplace.  We need to renormalize dialogue where we strive for compassion and understanding and where different ideas and perspectives are viewed as opportunities to learn, grow, innovate, and improve.

The Dialogue Across Difference training is designed to help participants understand how different life experiences and cultural influences can shape our perspectives, opinions, and what we prioritize in our lives – and that no one opinion is either right or wrong but a window into our shared humanity.  Participants will explore how what we say and how we say it impacts the people around us and will explore and practice strategies you can use to interact respectfully and effectively across difference.

The Addressing Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation is a tool for leading a discussion to address the number of bills / legislation that is / will negatively affect the LGBTQ+ community. The goal is to provide a forum where employees can process their emotions, discuss their feelings and strategize actions and solutions.

With the constant barrage of news feeds, tweets and blog posts it’s almost impossible to keep discussions regarding charged topics such as politics, religion, race, immigration, gun control and women’s rights from permeating our workplaces. It can be tricky to navigate topics like these at work. But, with some basic ground rules, these discussions can be enlightening—no matter which side of the issue you’re on.

The Courageous Conversations Facilitator Toolkit is a guide to help you lead difficult conversations in order to deepen understanding across difference. This guide provides tools, tips and materials to help you prepare, host and lead a dialogue based on any topic aimed at understanding difference and resolving conflict. Throughout the year we will provide some facilitator’s discussion guides on specific topics.

Conversations that allow employees to share their experiences, their views, their concerns, and their ideas can be an important and effective way to not only build awareness but change hearts.  Even small five-minute conversations can expand our thinking and build comradery among team members.

Facilitation is the art of leading people through a process in order to collectively reach agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, respect, and creativity by all those involved. These tips can help ensure your conversations are effective and productive.

The Addressing Hate and Discrimination Guide is a tool for leading a discussion to address the escalating events of hate and violence that occur in our community and in the media. The goal of the guide is to help foster an environment where employees can express their feelings and concerns, process their emotions and discuss opportunities and solutions for fostering psychological safety in the workplace and more broadly in the world.

The Addressing Hate and Discrimination Against AAPI Guide is a tool for leading a discussion to address the escalating events of hate and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Effective facilitation is an art and requires a certain amount of skill. Here are some tips you can follow to help ensure your meetings are effective and productive.

Robin J. DiAngelo is an American academic, lecturer, and author working in the fields of critical discourse analysis and whiteness studies. In her latest book White Fragility, DiAngleo takes a hard and compelling look at racial and social justice and explores how whiteness is reproduced in everyday narratives. This discussion guide builds on the concepts expressed in the book as a way to explore our individual experience with systemic racism and the role each of us plays in perpetuating it.  

Over the past several years there has been an explosion of activist movements such as #METOO and #BLACKLIVESMATTER to address injustice and inequality in our society and our workplaces.  Dialogue, debate, and controversy surround many of these movements and there is no denying that the windows of the world permeated the walls of our workplaces. So, how do we manage the movements in our workplaces? 

It’s seems increasingly difficult to navigate social norms these days. We may find ourselves in a situation where we said or did something that unintentionally hurt or offended someone.  Here are some tips for respectfully responding to feedback that your words or actions were hurtful or offensive.

When someone says or does something offensive or hurtful, we can either give that person feedback or stay quiet. While it’s impossible to completely control the situation, the way we deliver the message can mitigate some of the risk and lead to productive outcomes. Here you’ll find tips about how you can provide feedback in a way that is respectful and can be heard.

A shift from creating safe spaces to creating brave spaces may be a more productive approach for addressing challenges and opportunities associated with diversity, inclusion and equity. Here are some steps you can take to create brave spaces.

This article challenges the concept of safe spaces, particularly when discussing issues relating to diversity and social justice, and argues that the focus needs to shift from ensuring a concept of safety to bravery.

With the constant barrage of news feeds, tweets and blog posts it’s almost impossible to keep discussions regarding charged topics such as politics, religion, race, immigration, gun control and women’s rights from permeating our workplaces. It can be tricky to navigate topics like these at work. But, with some basic ground rules, these discussions can be enlightening—no matter which side of the issue you’re on.

There is nothing more terrifying than the “Difficult Diversity Conversation.” There is an art to this conversation. Here are some tips for leading a positive and productive conversation.

The Difficult Conversations Checklist is a tool to help you organize your thoughts in preparation for a difficult conversation. It is specifically designed for diversity related conversations but can be used to help
you manage any conversation.