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11/6
/2018
Welcome to another quarterly TWG Learning newsletter. Continue reading for updates on the team, our content, and opportunities to get more engaged with our work in creating transformative, sustainable solutions for equity and inclusion.
In this quarter's edition, we equip you with strategies for navigating post-election tensions in the workplace, we update you on our team's whereabouts and growth, and we invite you to join us on the journey - whether it's through participating in Bold, Inclusive Conversations® Certification, reading and engaging with The Inclusion Solution, or supporting Live Inclusively® Actualized.
We hope you enjoy and continue to find new ways to...
Live Inclusively!
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Strategies for Navigating Post-Election Tension
Fostering Inclusion
Election day is here, and it's likely that, regardless of the results, many employees will arrive at work tomorrow with emotions running high. If you've been reading the "Inclusion is Political"
feature series
on our blog, you know that D&I work is necessarily entwined with
politics, and fostering inclusion often means stepping away from the neutral "comfort zone" where many of us feel most at ease. With this in mind, here are some strategies for managing political tensions that may arise at work in the coming days and weeks:
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- Include a "one word check-in" at your next meeting. Provide an opportunity for team members to acknowledge the challenging, positive, or other emotions they may be navigating on a personal level. While this may not be a central focus of the meeting, pausing to name these dynamics, even briefly, can relieve some pressure and help workers to better understand one another.
- Re-affirm organizational values. In a divisive socio-political climate, it's easy to focus on topics where we may disagree with others. There are times and places for these discussions, but also take this opportunity to remind everyone of the values you share and mission you are working toward collectively. Furthermore, meaningful organizational commitments to equity and inclusion can help everyone feel more supported and affirmed.
- Leverage resources and expertise. Many organizations offer resources related to well-being, mediation, and conflict resolution. Look into the opportunities available in your organization, see where you may be able to incorporate them, and encourage your coworkers to do the same. Additional resources are always available on the web.
- Devote time to personal reflection and recognize individual needs. Taking time to actively reflect on what you are feeling, why, and how it may affect your presence in different spaces will allow you to identify your own needs and challenges, as well as be more understanding of others' needs.
- Center conversation on people when engaging in politics. When politics surface in the workplace or other settings, make an effort to center discussion around individuals and communities rather than opposing sides. Affirming the humanity and experiences of people is a good place to start in recognizing the nuances that go into everyone's political perspectives and decisions.
- Act within your sphere of influence to advocate for marginalized people in the workplace. While we can continue to hold our representatives accountable, regardless of the election outcomes, we can also hold ourselves and our colleagues accountable to supporting and advocating for marginalized individuals and communities in our workplaces. Continue to be mindful of power dynamics at play in your organization and do your part to respond by making space for and supporting those who likely face related challenges.
Employee fulfillment in the workplace is essential to promoting engagement and retention; when employees feel seen, supported, and valued, they respond with commitment to their organization. We hope these suggestions will help you and other members of your organization to acknowledge the political dimension of this work and continue to lead and live inclusively!
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Bold, Inclusive Conversations®
Facilitator Certification Program
Next week, November 13th-15th, we will be hosting a Bold, Inclusive Conversations®
Facilitator Certification Program at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture in Charlotte, NC. Can't make it, but want to bring a Facilitator Certification
Program to your workplace?
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Where are Mary-Frances Winters &
Team
TWG?
To bring Mary-Frances or another one of our consultants to your city
or your organization -- in person or virtually
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Highlights from Last Quarter
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- Our Work is Bold
- In October, our very own Principal Strategist on Race, Religion, and Culture, Travis Jones, spoke at TEDx Charlotte. His talk was entitled, "Bad White People," where he explored the ideology of whiteness and how white people can begin to move beyond being "Good White People" (non-racist) to being "Bad White People" (anti-racists) in the fight from freedom.
- Our Work is Global
- Our President & Founder, Mary-Frances Winters, was a speaker at the Diversity & Inclusion in Asia Network's (DIAN) speaker series. The session, "Leading Inclusively Actualized," explored behaviors and strategies necessary to make inclusion "real," in the global context.
- Our Work is Transformative
- Brittany J. Harris, our VP, Learning & Innovation facilitated a keynote workshop at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest's annual employee-wide summit. Her session, entitled, "Inclusion Starts with I & Happens with US," explored identity & intersectionality, and how we can use our power to create a more inclusive workplace and equitable world.
Want to bring a similar learning experience to your organization?
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Our Team is Expanding!
Welcome to our newest TWG team members, Leigh Morrison and Catalina Pinto. Below they have shared how they #LiveInclusively. How do you?
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Leigh Morrison
Manager, Learning & Innovation
"I Live Inclusively® by creating spaces for and amplifying marginalized voices; practicing patience and perspective-taking; and continually reflecting on my own thoughts and responses to situations."
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Catalina Pinto
Associate, Marketing & Branding
"I Live Inclusively
®
by using my white privilege to highlight voices that are often marginalized."
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Live Inclusively Actualized: #WeAreWithKap
"I'm going to continue to stand with the people [who] are being oppressed."
Colin Kaepernick
Moved by Nike's recent ad showcasing Colin Kapernick speaking out about racial injustice, we wanted to bring the movement to our own neighborhoods.
We are excited to announce that
Live Inclusively Actualized has supported 6 shelters across the country as part of our #WeAreWithKap Project. Our team members donated 300 items totaling over $1700 to shelters in their local communities
.
We are inspired by the work taking place in our communities and will continue to update you on our journey to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and just world.
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Inclusion is a Lifestyle!
To support our Live Inclusively Actualized mission to break down systemic barriers that impact marginalized communities through grant-making, programs, and service opportunities that promote inclusion, equity, and justice,
check out our o
nline store
!
All proceeds go towards funding Live Inclusively Actualized grants.
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Want to get involved with Live Inclusively Actualized?
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Our 'GIF' To You
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"An attitude of gratitude will keep
you energized, inspired and able to accomplish feats beyond
your imagination."
Mary-Frances Winters
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(Source: GIPHY)
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Stay Woke
Read the Inclusion
Solution Newsletter
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Get Connected
Find us on
Social Media
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Live Inclusively
Be Intentional &
Take the Pledge
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Looking for a platform to share your passion for D&I? Consider writing for our weekly blog, The Inclusion Solution!
Email us for more info.
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#LiveInclusively
#LiveInclusivelyActualized
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We are a 34 year-old global, diversity & inclusion consulting firm.
We create transformative, sustainable solutions for equity and inclusion. For over 30 years, The Winters Group has partnered with hundreds of organizations to develop, execute, and measure strategies that lead to breakthrough results. Our core offerings are grounded in cultural competence.
The Winters Group, Inc. is a certified Minority / Women-Owned Business Enterprise.
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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