Promoting Inclusion: Communicating to interrupt bias

We invite you to a highly informative and interactive workshop to explore the critical contribution that Organizational Development can make to interrupting unconscious bias in the workplace.

Unconscious bias can take many forms, particularly in the ways we communicate in the workplace. Words and images matter, and can impact the implicit and explicit messages received by employees through the work we do. For example, when we use binary gender identities in our learning scenarios, what does that signal to LGBTQ2+ colleagues? When we use gendered language to describe roles and responsibilities, such as chairman, what assumptions are we making, and what stereotypes are we reinforcing?

We would like to hone our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lenses to recognize when we inadvertently make assumptions, and intentionally seek to counter stereotypes to positively promote inclusion. Whether we are drafting key messages, developing learning assets or creating change plans, let’s talk about how we can use words and images to send messages of belonging.

Join us for an engaging conversation with two leading DEI strategists to explore how OD can make an impact and support organizational DEI goals of promoting inclusive workplaces where everyone’s unique perspectives are valued and leveraged for success.

Event objectives:

• Recognize how bias can be embedded into written communications and images
• Identify the impact of language and images in reinforcing biases and stereotypes that create barriers for underrepresented groups
• Practice how to identify biases in processes relevant to participants that may create barriers
• Guide participants in developing tailored bias interrupters to overcome those barriers

After attending this session, you will:

• Have discovered some of your own biases
• Have ideas about actions you can take to interrupt biases
• Have tools to identify systemic barriers and interrupt them in promoting a more inclusive workplace

Target audience:

• Internal/external consultants
• Facilitators
• Instructors
• Leaders and managers
• All who are called to facilitate learning, meetings, processes, communication, groups, and change.

Our facilitators

Susanna Tam is a lawyer and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) leader with over 14 years of experience in creating innovative strategies and initiatives that promote inclusive workplaces. She is currently an organizational development consultant specializing in DEI with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), focused on enhancing structural inclusion by assessing and improving talent management processes for an organization of over 5000 employees. Before joining ICBC, Susanna served as the director of inclusion for a national law firm, and as the diversity policy lawyer for the provincial regulator of the legal profession.

Magda Trespalacios is an Organizational Development professional and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion. Over the past 10 years, she has supported private and public organizations in improving their effectiveness and the experiences of their employees, by helping define strategies and tactics that align with their vision and core values. She is currently an organizational development consultant specializing in DEI with ICBC, focused on developing skills and behaviours that promote a workplace environment where everyone is recognized and valued. Magda’s professional background is in Business Administration and her areas of strength are leadership development, employee learning, coaching and mentoring. She is also a Chartered Human Resources Professional (CPHR) and a Certified Organizational Coach.