Extensive research demonstrates that most employees cover to some degree at work and that covering
has a negative impact at both the individual and organizational level. By promoting psychological safety,
we can create a workplace where employees are more comfortable bringing their whole selves to work,
are happier, more fulfilled and engaged and are more committed to organizational outcomes.

To create an environment where employees truly feel safe being themselves, expressing themselves and challenging one another requires undoing a lifetime of learned behavior.

Over the course of May through July 2021, VisionSpring conducted over 30 interviews with DEI practitioners to determine what are their biggest roadblocks to achieving their DEI goals.  The market research report includes our key findings, themes, stats & facts and our recommendations.

This Exploring Microaggressions Conversation Starter is designed to deepen our understanding of how our actions and decisions effect colleagues on an individual level and impact overall organizational culture…. This content is for members only.Login Join Now...

Developing a new ERG may seem like a daunting task, but once a plan of action, with specific tasks, expectations and timelines is created, the process will be more manageable. This document provides a step-by step guided process for launching an ERG

A more equal world starts with you. Citing a formative moment from her own life, equity advocate Nita Mosby Tyler highlights why showing up and fighting for others who face injustices beyond your own lived experience leads to a fairer, more just future for all.

In this powerful talk, psychologist Jennifer L. Eberhardt explores how our biases unfairly target Black people at all levels of society — from schools and social media to policing and criminal justice — and discusses how creating points of friction can help us actively interrupt and address this troubling problem. 

The presence and visibility of a movement can often lead us to believe that progress is inevitable. But building power and changing the system requires more than conversations and retweets, says Rashad Robinson, the president of Color Of Change. To create material change in the racist systems that enable and perpetuate violence against Black communities, Robinson shares how we can translate the energy of global protests into specific demands, actions, and laws — and hold those in power accountable to them.

Baratunde Thurston explores the phenomenon of white Americans calling the police on black Americans who have committed the crimes of … eating, walking, or generally “living while black.” In this profound, thought-provoking, and often hilarious talk, he reveals the power of language to change stories of trauma into stories of healing — while challenging us all to level up.

Quick tips and how-tos to help you navigate diversity challenges and opportunities

Power from unearned privilege can look like strength when it is in fact permission to escape or to dominate. It is important to note that privilege is not necessarily a bad thing – just unfair. Privilege used positively can actually be leveraged to support the advancement of others and to benefit the organization as a whole.

If you are in a situation where you have privilege, you have an opportunity to leverage that privilege to help and support others. Leveraging our privilege is a great way to serve as an ally. Allies can help amplify the message, break down barriers and secure support of the masses. Here are some things you can do to leverage your privilege as an ally.

The article revisits the question are diversity and inclusion efforts unfair to white men from the perspective of equity.

Support Material to be assigned as prework for The Crafting My Career Development Plan Circle Meeting

One of the most effective ways to develop yourself and move your career forward is to create a well-thought-out plan. Here are some tips and strategies to help you take control of your own career journey and successfully identify and pursue a career joy and fulfillment.

Ideas for developing skills and experience to propel you forward and help you achieve your career goals.

We have a problem in the United States. It’s systemic, wide-spread racism. I don’t know how to solve for it. I don’t have any answers. But this much I know…

VisionSpring’s Respect in the Workplace is a 90-minute training that can be leveraged by D&I practitioners as part of their training offerings. Respect in the Workplace Virtual Classroom will help participants more fully understand the dynamics and characteristics of a respectful workplace and the steps each of us can take to ensure all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

An organization’s ability to benefit from diversity and inclusion is directly relative to the D&I competency across the organization. All employees must understand the power in D&I and how to leverage that power to drive business outcomes. Here are some tips to get you started.

Tips for understanding positions of power and privilege and how to leverage in support of goals and the success of others.

VisionSpring’s Diversity, Inclusion & Identity: Building Awareness and Understanding Virtual Classroom is a 90-minute experience that will help participants more fully understand concepts associated with diversity and inclusion and explore the intersectionality of identity, privilege, and equity.

The success of any ERG is contingent on its leadership team. The specific leadership team put in place will depend on the goals and in some cases size of the group. At a minimum each ERG should have a chair, cochair and someone in charge of logistics (secretary), programming and communications. Here is a list of the most common ERG leadership positions and the responsibilities associated with each.

Your ERG Value Statement should describe how ERGs will add value to the organization and your employees. This tool can be used by individual ERGs as well in a large group with multiple ERG leaders. The purpose of this exercise is to engage in true brainstorming to come up with words that capture the value of your ERG program.

The Inclusive Leadership Personal Development Plan is a tool designed to help individuals identify inclusive leadership competency strengths and opportunities for development. The tool identifies key competencies associated with the concept of leading inclusively and provides a thought process for building competency in each area.

What exactly do we mean by the term inclusive leadership? Is leading inclusively an entirely different concept that “regular” leadership? Or do we just need a strategic shift in our mindset?

Pursuing a career you love starts with self-knowledge – truly understanding what brings you joy, what value you bring to your work, and what skills, strengths and talents are your greatest assets. Mentoring circles can help get you there. Here’s how.

Here are some tips you can follow in order to pursue a career path that leverages our innate talents, energizes us and brings us joy.

The Getting to Know You Bingo game is a great icebreaker or team building exercise. We developed this version with virtual teams / remote workers in mind. The Bingo squares are designed to help employees get to know teammates and coworkers who work remotely or in other regions or offices.

This tool can be used to craft employee profiles. It is a great way for employees to get-to-know your fellow coworkers as well as to highlight employee accomplishments and build a sense of belonging.

During this time of social distance and remote working it is critical that we maintain a culture of belonging to reduce feelings of isolation in our workplaces.  Here you can find a list of ice-breaker questions that you can use at the start of your meetings to engage employees and provide them the opportunity to dialogue with colleagues.