Diversity University Communicating in a Diverse World  
In today's market it is imperative to employ a diverse workforce in order to inspire innovation and create a competitive edge. With such differences come many obstacles such as, miscommunication, disrespect and low employee engagement. This program is designed to foster greater trust among diverse groups while improving communication skills and increasing competency and productivity. Diversity University has seven modules that build upon each other to deliver solid content coupled with practical tools and action items. click on a program name to read the full description Thriving Through Workplace Change Listen Up! Gender Contender Breaking Barriers Take the Con out of Conflict Management Extreme Teams The Great Equalizer
Benefits are: Effective communication vertically, laterally and with customers High employee engagement and performance Value, respect and utilize talents while achieving organizational goals
Ultimately Diversity University will create an engaged community, which will drive customer loyalty, which will drive continual growth, which will drive greater profits!
Thriving Through Workplace Change In today’s workplace we can expect constant change in an ongoing effort to better serve our customers. The changes being made are necessary and beneficial but have an impact on productivity and profitability. How each person reacts to change is the real test. Staff will handle change better after they learn how to: Identify individual phases of change using the Individual Resistance Adaptation (IRA) model Manage transitions of organizational change using the Organizational Resistance Adaptation (ORA) model Discover and minimize fears that hold back change Measure risks using a Risk Opportunity Indicator (ROI) assessment
Outcomes are: Improved interpersonal communication Increased empathy for others Identification of resources and support
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Listen Up! Sales need to be finalized, assignments need to be completed and questions need to be answered. In the fast paced work environment many people don’t take time to listen effectively which can result in the loss of sales, additional time and money being spent redoing a project, repeating of instructions and correcting of mistakes. Staff will listen better after they learn how to: Recognize and improve defective listening habits Identify filters and listening styles Master active listening skills Interpret a variety of business messages properly
Outcomes are: Improved interpersonal communication Increased camaraderie, confidence and respect Decreased errors
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Gender Contender The ability to communicate effectively and assertively is mandatory for any employee to succeed in his/her job. Research shows that women and men have distinct cultural and social differences that impact behavior, communication and performance. Neither gender is better at communicating, they are just different. Business can profit when men and women understand the differences between them. Women will communicate better with men after they learn how to: Be assertive without being aggressive Turn weak words into power words Get points across effectively with solid organizational methods Present themselves confidently
Men will communicate better with women after they learn how to: Listen without interrupting Direct not dictate Build relationships with questions Develop empathy and understanding
Outcomes are: Improved communication skills Increased camaraderie, confidence and respect Higher productivity
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Breaking Barriers In today’s market it is imperative to employ a diverse workforce in order to inspire innovation and create a competitive edge. With such diversity come stereotypes, assumptions and judgments. Helping employees uncover hidden assumptions, break down stereotypes and remove prejudices will build respect and foster productive relationships throughout the organization. Employees will respect each other more after they learn how to: Build trust and respect through dialogue Deal with stereotypes and assumptions Understand and utilize the different communication styles Find common ground with value assessments
Outcomes are: Build cooperative teams Generate creativity and innovation Retain employees Maintain a competitive edge
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Taking the Con out of Conflict Management Success in any organization is dependent on individuals and teams working smoothly together. This can become impossible with the constant changes being made, stress from limited resources, confusion over responsibilities, frustration with miscommunications, and diversity in the workforce. Conflict may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be terminal. Employees will resolve conflict better when they learn how to: Isolate and remove anger, hurt and resentment Identify the five conflict styles Give effective feedback Create and evaluate solutions Choose the most effective conflict style to resolve conflict
Outcomes are: Build trust and understanding Foster empathy and open communications Maximize the acceptance of diverse ideas
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Extreme Teams To thrive in today’s business climate requires development of new products, reduction of costs, improvement of quality and creative problem solving. No one person can accomplish all these tasks, but a successful team can. Just because a group of people are put together doesn’t mean they will succeed as a team. It requires leadership, focus and common goals. Employees will be better team members when they learn how to: Optimize each member’s talents, strengths and expertise Define roles and responsibilities Create a climate where everyone can contribute Establish guidelines and accountability to achieve goals
Outcomes are: Increase morale and respect Retain employees Improve communication skills
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The Great Equalizer The inbox is full, deadlines are past due, kids need to get to soccer and bills need to be paid. You may enjoy work but feel the only way to meet the demands is to work longer hours and sacrifice the family and personal life. Or vice versa. The stress can be unmanageable. Knowing your own motivations and purpose can assist in obtaining some equilibrium in life and work. Employees will have better work/life balance when they learn how to: Outcomes are: Higher productivity, creativity and innovation Increased energy and focus Reduced stress, illness and absenteeism
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