Courageous Conversations

Extreme political polarization and differences in lived experience comes with us into our work and educational spaces. We increasingly find it difficult to build bridges across differences. The key to bridging the divide is relationships. Integral to building relationships is the ability to have difficult conversations. So why is it so hard to broach difficult topics like race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, politics, and socio-economic status? How does our work and our organizations suffer when we are unable to do so? Creating space for courageous conversations is the key to inclusiveness.

Combining an educational talk and the Reflective Listening tool, we both examine the dynamics of courageous conversations and conduct an in-workshop simulation on how to effectively listen and dialogue.

Outcomes

● Understand why courageous conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to creating a culture of inclusion in your organization.

● Learn how to overcome the fear of broaching difficult diversity and inclusion topics.

● Using CST’s Multicultural Lens tool, enhance cultural agility and learn how to conduct courageous conversations that are productive and help create and sustain inclusive culture.

$100 for individual registrations.

$50 for each additional registration from an organization (i.e 2 registrants - $150, 3 registrants - $200, etc).

ABOUT CULTURE SHIFT TEAM

"CST is an award-winning consulting agency of leading experts in multicultural marketing, public relations, community engagement, customer experience, and diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) strategy. Our mantra is the Platinum Rule: 'Treat others the way they would like to be treated.' We help our clients create value around this model. Each engagement delivers a customized, results-oriented plan to meet our client's objectives. Our goal is to help you build lasting, sustainable relationships with your internal and external customers and stakeholders."

Robert L. Wilson, Founder

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy and Education Expert

Culture Shift Team founding partner, Robert Lawrence Wilson, leads CST’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity division. With more than 15 years of experience in diversity management, multicultural marketing, customer experience strategy, and leadership development, Robert develops comprehensive strategy and training for corporations, non-profit organizations, higher education, and government agencies. In addition to overall inclusion strategy, Robert also provides racial equity strategy and deployment expertise. Robert served in executive roles at Nissan North America, including Nissan's director of Customer Experience and Nissan’s first director of Diversity and Inclusion where he developed and led Nissan's diversity practice, spanning Nissan's operations in North and South America, as well as a multicultural marketing strategy. He serves on the leadership boards of three non-profit organizations promoting greater access to quality education for our nation's most at-risk student populations. Robert is the co-founder and executive director of the Tennessee Diversity Consortium and an adjunct professor within Vanderbilt’s Leadership and Organizational Performance graduate program. . Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University.

Host or Publisher United Way of Greater Chattanooga