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Executive Directors Chat:
Embracing Diversity and Cultural
Differences
LaCheka Phillips
Director of Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Culture (EIDC)
May 1, 2024
Executive Directors Chat  Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences
Our Discussion Today
• Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences
• The Case for Belonging
• Practical Tips for Embracing Diversity
• Questions & Answers
4 Copyright © TechSoup Global. All Rights
Reserved.
Disclaimer:
Please note that while we share our journey and insights into
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with enthusiasm, neither
the presenters nor TechSoup are certified experts in DEI, nor
do we provide legal or HR advice. This webinar is intended for
educational and inspirational purposes only, aiming to spark
action and dialogue around equity initiatives. We encourage
seeking professional guidance when implementing DEI
strategies in your organization.
5 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences
• Belonging
•A psychological and emotional feeling of
being an accepted member of a group.
•Download the Belonging eBook
• Cultural Competence
•The ability to understand one’s own
cultural identity, recognizing biases,
gaining knowledge of other cultural
practices and worldviews, and
developing cross-cultural skills.
•Read the blog post, “Cultural
Competence: More than Just Diversity &
Inclusion.”
• Dimensions of Diversity
•The ways in which people differ,
including ethnicity, gender and age. It
also includes social class, ability,
religion, income, marital or parental
status, geographic location, national
origin, political beliefs, and much more.
•See the Dimensions of Diversity Wheel
The Case for Belonging
•Business Case
○ Inclusive workplaces see higher engagement,
creativity, and retention rates. Direct correlation to
increased increased innovation, better
decision-making, and competitive advantage.
•Human Case
○ Exclusion is processed in the brain like physical
pain, affecting well-being and cognitive functions.
Direct correlation to decreased productivity,
innovation, and collaboration due to impaired
mental state.
Watch Microsoft’s “The case for diversity and
inclusion” webinar.”
How can we balance the need for inclusive
language with the need to acknowledge and
address distinct cultural identities and histories?
8 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Practical Ideas for Embracing
Diversity and Cultural Differences
• Organizational Structure
○ Recruitment and hiring practices
○ Employee-led groups and initiatives
○ Learning and development
• Organizational Culture
○ Diversity days
■ Webinar: Leveraging Global Diversity
Awareness Month for Inclusion
○ Inclusive language
○ Equitable meetings
What’s the most important lesson you’ve
learned from implementing ideas to
champion diversity within your
organization?
What other questions, thoughts or
ideas do you have?
Use chat or simply raise your digital hand.
Q&A
11 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved.
Plan
Outline one idea for an
upcoming Diversity day
or Holiday.
Register
Sign up for Part 3 of the
webinar series
+
Join us in Quad to
continue the
conversation!
Share
Complete the survey and
share this content with
co-conspirators.
Thank you! Next Steps:
EIDC@techsoup.org

More Related Content

Executive Directors Chat Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences

  • 1. Executive Directors Chat: Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences LaCheka Phillips Director of Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Culture (EIDC) May 1, 2024
  • 3. Our Discussion Today • Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences • The Case for Belonging • Practical Tips for Embracing Diversity • Questions & Answers
  • 4. 4 Copyright © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: Please note that while we share our journey and insights into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with enthusiasm, neither the presenters nor TechSoup are certified experts in DEI, nor do we provide legal or HR advice. This webinar is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only, aiming to spark action and dialogue around equity initiatives. We encourage seeking professional guidance when implementing DEI strategies in your organization.
  • 5. 5 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved. Understanding Diversity and Cultural Differences • Belonging •A psychological and emotional feeling of being an accepted member of a group. •Download the Belonging eBook • Cultural Competence •The ability to understand one’s own cultural identity, recognizing biases, gaining knowledge of other cultural practices and worldviews, and developing cross-cultural skills. •Read the blog post, “Cultural Competence: More than Just Diversity & Inclusion.” • Dimensions of Diversity •The ways in which people differ, including ethnicity, gender and age. It also includes social class, ability, religion, income, marital or parental status, geographic location, national origin, political beliefs, and much more. •See the Dimensions of Diversity Wheel
  • 6. The Case for Belonging •Business Case ○ Inclusive workplaces see higher engagement, creativity, and retention rates. Direct correlation to increased increased innovation, better decision-making, and competitive advantage. •Human Case ○ Exclusion is processed in the brain like physical pain, affecting well-being and cognitive functions. Direct correlation to decreased productivity, innovation, and collaboration due to impaired mental state. Watch Microsoft’s “The case for diversity and inclusion” webinar.”
  • 7. How can we balance the need for inclusive language with the need to acknowledge and address distinct cultural identities and histories?
  • 8. 8 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved. Practical Ideas for Embracing Diversity and Cultural Differences • Organizational Structure ○ Recruitment and hiring practices ○ Employee-led groups and initiatives ○ Learning and development • Organizational Culture ○ Diversity days ■ Webinar: Leveraging Global Diversity Awareness Month for Inclusion ○ Inclusive language ○ Equitable meetings
  • 9. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from implementing ideas to champion diversity within your organization?
  • 10. What other questions, thoughts or ideas do you have? Use chat or simply raise your digital hand. Q&A
  • 11. 11 © TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved. Plan Outline one idea for an upcoming Diversity day or Holiday. Register Sign up for Part 3 of the webinar series + Join us in Quad to continue the conversation! Share Complete the survey and share this content with co-conspirators. Thank you! Next Steps: EIDC@techsoup.org