Beyond the Image of Diversity: How to Create a Culture of Inclusion

While it is reassuring that more organizations recognize the value of diversity in their teams and are implementing metrics to measure progress, the real goal of diversity is to create a culture of inclusion and belonging. By focusing on establishing an inclusive environment, organizations can unlock the true value of diversity.   

In this presentation, Dima Ghawi shares three tips based on workplace surveys and interviews that she has conducted across a variety of organizations. They include:

  • Providing insight into what employees need to feel welcomed and included. 

  • Managing change and creating a courageous culture, instrumental for handling conscious and unconscious biases, micro-aggressions, and resistance to inclusion initiatives. 

  • Structuring and utilizing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), valuable affinity groups that provide a support network and education opportunity for their members and also increase awareness across the company. 


Creating a culture of inclusion is no longer simply “a nice to have.” Instead, it is essential for recruiting, engaging, and retaining top talent, and, as a result, increasing the competitive advantage of the company. Audience members leave with actionable takeaways that can be employed to create a productive, engaging, and inclusive workplace for their team.

The Three Cs for Managing Unconscious Bias

 
 

In this engaging presentation, Dima Ghawi delves into the intricacies of unconscious bias, uncovering the root of these predispositions and sharing actionable methods for managing these unseen prejudices. The dialogue focuses on three essential messages related to Curiosity, Courageousness, and Commitment. These three C’s emphasize the importance of:

  • Sparking curiosity through self-reflection and continued conversations about discrimination and conscious and unconscious biases. 

  • Finding the courage to stand up and challenge the old programing, break free of harmful norms, and become allies for minority groups.

  • Committing to the continuous journey of self-improvement and taking an active role in being part of the solution. 

The presentation incorporates relatable personal anecdotes and group/individual activities that keep audience engaged. The content includes information about various types of unconscious biases and microaggressions, and highlights the negative impact of these biases in the workplace. Dima's presentation also includes innovative neuroscience research on the effect of biases on our brains and wellbeing, and provides highlights derived from a variety of workplace surveys with messages essential for managing these biases. 

As the attendees gain more self-awareness, they will recognize the importance of managing their biases and grasp the power of allyship. Audiences leave with actionable takeaways to guide them be more Curious, Courageous, and Committed to current and future diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This results in a positive ripple effect for the attendees’ personal and professional lives as well as the overall organization and community.

Diversity and Inclusion: Worth More Than Gold

There is compelling research that diversity increases the competitive advantage of companies, enhances creativity, and elevates employee engagement. Despite this, there is still resistance to workplace diversity.

Through engaging personal narratives, Dima shares the many different types of diversity beyond race and gender, and covers its proven benefits. She provides the audience with tools to enable them to increase diversity in their teams and focus on attracting, engaging, and retaining diverse talent. The audience gains new understanding of managing resistance, tracking progress, and creating a climate that celebrates diversity in their company.

The main topics include:

  • Definition of Diversity & Inclusion

  • Cognitive Diversity

  • The difference between Diversity and Inclusion

  • The evolution of D&I within organizations

  • Research about the value of D&I

  • The advantages of D&I for increasing employee engagement, retention, creativity, and customer satisfaction

  • Biases (this includes unconscious bias), stereotypes, and microaggressions 

  • Tips for increasing diversity within your team

  • Tips for fostering a sense of inclusion & belonging within your team

  • Inclusion mindset in the hiring and promotion process

  • Benchmark details on what other organizations are doing to increase diversity

  • Brining these topics together by having the managers work on action items for increasing D&I within the team

How to Overcome Resistance to DEI

Through storytelling and personal narratives, Dima guides the attendees to address common workplace resistance to DEI). She deconstructs these conscious and unconscious biases and demonstrates how to address them in order to build a safe and inclusive workplace culture. Dima shares specific tips that equip the attendees with the tools needed to overcome the leadership team’s resistance to DEI initiatives, helping ensure that the positive ripple effect of DEI can expand across all their organization’s levels.