Inclusion on the Slopes’ Post

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Wednesday! I hope you are excited to be in May. I surely am! :-D When there is a conflict while creating inclusion, often there could be values misalignment. This could be the case with the Includer and Command strengths. Inclusion is an opportunity to bring awareness of what each person values, and co-create a path that involves both points of view. Here is a real-life example. --- Command focuses on taking initiative and taking charge in a situation.  --- Includer wants to include everyone before taking the initiative.  --- Outcome: Reframe the initiative as an act to include others that enhance the effort. Thus, we include AND initiate. Inclusion entails creativity and collaboration. It takes time to craft these strategies. Yet, teams are stronger because of it. I witness it with my clients all the time. It makes it all worth it. Enjoy your day! #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #bridgethegap #strengthbasedinclusion #inclusionontheslopes #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseThreeOpportunityPlanning

"Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth." — Jesse Jackson In our ""Inspiring Inclusion"" series, we explore the powerful impact of creating spaces where every voice is heard and valued. This quote by Jesse Jackson highlights how true inclusion is fundamental to both personal and organizational growth. #InspiringInclusion #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceCulture #InclusiveGrowth #LeadershipMatters

DID YOU KNOW?! Diversity and inclusion are not mutually exclusive concepts. Although they are connected, diversity focuses on the characteristics and traits that make us different, whereas inclusion involves the degree to which we engage and acknowledge those differences. In many professional spaces, we have made strides in diversity. Representation matters. Diversity primes the space and creates urgency for inclusion by positioning us to confront biases and structural barriers to change. Diversity is a catalyst for awareness. As we say at The Cole Lab, awareness creates an assignment! Being aware positions you to level up. And inclusion is the assignment. Next time you are in a meeting, look around. Take stock of the people who are talking, who are heard, who are silent, and who are silenced. It’s not just about who’s in the room, it’s about fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are actively sought and integrated. Remember, just because you are at the table, doesn’t mean you are welcome to the table. Create space, hold space for others, and allow everyone to bring their favorite dish to the table too. @ktjackson76 #TCL #TCLLEAD #thecolelab #yourdevelopmentdestination #diversity #inclusion #awareness #leadership

Adapting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within ourselves requires a journey of self-reflection to understand personal biases and beliefs, continuous education to grasp the complexities of systemic inequalities, active listening to diverse voices to broaden perspectives, and challenging ourselves to advocate for inclusive practices. It involves promoting diversity in all aspects of life, supporting initiatives that empower underrepresented groups, committing to ongoing growth and adaptation in DEI principles, and demonstrating leadership through actions that cultivate a fair and inclusive environment for everyone. By integrating these practices, individuals can contribute meaningfully to creating a society where diversity is celebrated, equity is prioritized, and inclusion is the norm. What are your thoughts?

Making Differences Work: A People-Centric Approach to Business Performance It’s crucial to continually push for progress and create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. At AMASV, our local DEI team is dedicated to driving these values forward in our community. 💪🌍 In this article, authors Paul Sarvadi and Eli Jones talk about how their friendship evolved quickly when they were able to get to know each other with the belief that... "commonality, equality, and cohesion (CEC) effectively raises the bar for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)... And it’s all because we saw our differences, our diversity, as just the starting point. It was our commonalities that brought us together so quickly.” Let’s work together to make a difference and champion DEI in all aspects of our professional lives! What steps do you take in your daily life to help drive positive change? https://lnkd.in/gcy6DhQA Ernest Brown, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Robert Mendoza, Director of DEI Programs #DEI #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #AMASV #MarketingCommunity

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Friday!! I hope you are having a joyful end to your week. I feel fantastic as I look at the little trickle of snow out my window while reflecting on the journey. Thinking about what to do next on the inclusion path can be daunting. I always say to myself what's next?! I use the SWORD Inclusion System to craft what's next. Within the system, we expand our view to narrow our directives. It is a concept of balanced thinking. The figure below displays starting nonlinear in our thinking to explore what could be. We allow ourselves to witness inclusion from a strength-based lens. Then, we look for common themes we share as a collective to leverage. On the path, we focus on our beingness that leads to our doingness. The process centers on crafting a sustainable inclusion system that is authentic to the individual and the organization. We start with the known to give us the strength and courage to go into the unknown to co-create together. In conclusion, we co-create systemic change for we will always need inclusion as new generations bring new perspectives. I find this to be so exciting! Enjoy the end of your week! #inclusionissustainability #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #inclusionsystem #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseFiveDailyAssessment

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Tuesday! As always, I wish you a day full of well-being. When we can allow well-being to occur, trust becomes more activated.   In Phase Two: Why of the SWORD Inclusion System, we rebuild trust within ourselves and trust others. When we set the tone for inclusivity, we can re-establish trust. Here are some examples. --- TRUST OURSELVES: By knowing our strengths, we trust ourselves and trust that we can feel confident on our inclusive path. --- TRUST OTHERS: Because we know another person's strengths and attributes, we can trust that they will engage with their strengths.   --- TRUST THE PROCESS: With inclusion, we increase the quality and quantity of our relationships. We want more inclusion. When we are more inclusive, we can feel the difference within ourselves. We also look at others with a new set of eyes. Our connections make us better and we begin to know why. Enjoy the day! #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #inclusionincludesyoutoo #InclusionontheSlopes #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseTwoWhy  

Happy Wednesday! I am wishing you a wonderful week thus far. I am eager as the year continues to witness the unfolding of more opportunities for inclusion. What I find most compelling about this time of year is that there are so many more opportunities for inclusion all year round. Clients often ask me what is the outcome of the SWORD Inclusion System. I say you. You are the outcome. You can’t enter the process and come out the same. I’ve been conducting and facilitating the process for over a decade, and I am never the same each time. We often focus on the goal. Yet, without the process, there is no path to the goal, for the process answers the how-to. In my dissertation research, I discussed generational theory, in which each new generation brings new ideas, perspectives, and an expanded frame of reference. Thus, there will always be more opportunities for inclusion. When we do make mistakes, which we will, we can repair, reconcile, and revisit for more inclusion. I have failed many times on my inclusion journey, yet as Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take”. I’ll continue to fail forward for inclusion. When we expect to make mistakes, we realize as long as we are still alive, we can begin again. Enjoy your day! #inclusionexpansion #inclusionontheslopes #joyofinclusion #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseThreeOpportunityPlanning

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Tuesday!! We are officially on the first day of Spring. I love watching the seasons change. There’s something I can appreciate with each season. I think of people in the same way. How I create inclusion may not be how someone else creates inclusion. The same applies to an organization, mainly because of the differentiation of strengths. Why inclusion? Because inclusion is the future. Mainly, because we need each other. To create, inclusion assists us in creating a multitude of small wins that lead to massive results. --- Think about something that was once challenging.   --- Recall the step-by-step process, the small wins.  --- Now, think about what it felt like to achieve that Big Win. My example would be my doctorate. I recall applying, thinking to myself, Gerilyn, have you lost your mind?! Yet, when I commit, I commit. I graduated, and it was an unbelievable feeling! The same thing with Inclusion on the Slopes; I’m continuously in awe every day. Enjoy your day! #joyofinclusion #inclusionontheslopes #inclusionexpansion #inclusionincludesyoutoo #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseTwoWhy

From the desk of Dr. Gerilyn Davis: Happy Tuesday! I hope you are feeling valued on this splendid day. Just the other day, a very good friend and I discussed what it means to know our value. Why foster inclusion? Opening ourselves up to more inclusion is one of the experiences this human life offers. There is richness and depth to it. In addition, we feel internally validated while valuing others. ---- VALUE AFFIRMING: We feel valued within ourselves. Thus, we can then value others. ---- FOSTERS CONFIDENCE: We seek our internal compass for validation. Hence, we feel confident in engaging with the world. ---- GENERATES COMPETENCY: We can fully grasp our level of competency because we answer the "how to" with inclusion at the forefront.   Fostering inclusion does not mean all our problems go away. Yet, we can face them head-on when we feel empowered. It is what inclusion is all about. Enjoy your day! #joyofinclusion #inclusionexpansion #internalvalidation #consultant #InclusionontheSlopes #SWORDInclusionSystem #PhaseTwoWhy