Tag: dei
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3 Ways Diversity Improves Organizational Culture

Maya Angelou once said, “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Ethnic and racial diversity in the workplace is more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful driver of productivity. Here are three key ways diversity can boost your team’s performance: This Malcolm Forbes quotes sums it up well, “Diversity is the art…
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Everyone’s an Anthropologist

Recently I interacted with someone that decided not to attend an upcoming seminar at his job on cultural awareness. I inquired about his decision and his response was, “because of the election” (referring to the 2024 presidential election). Sadly, he equated discussing culture with the division and anger that politics can stoke. But cultural competency…
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3 Ways to Stand Up Against Hate

Recently a group of people held a racist demonstration on a highway overpass in the St. Louis area, my hometown. It was a sad sight. The masked individuals held up Nazi flags and a banner proudly touting white supremacist language. Along with sadness, it was surreal for me to witness this deplorable sight. Unfortunately, I’m…
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What is Psychological Safety?

All parents share a core desire for their children. My wife and I share in this as well. Many things are important to us including academic rigor, cultural development, and diversity. But the greatest and nonnegotiable factor for our children is safety. Wherever we send our little ones, we want certainty that they will be…
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The Blessing of Disagreement

“Everything just looked blurry!” That’s what I told my mom and my kindergarten teacher. School was frustrating because I couldn’t see what was on the board, even when I sat in the front row and squinted. But, thankfully, things changed when I told others what I saw and that allowed them to help me. After…
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People of Reconciliation

When you hear the term “reconciliation” what comes to mind? In America, “racial reconciliation” can be volatile and is usually hotly discussed, or avoided, depending on the setting. While race is a relatively modern concept (concurrent with the transatlantic slave trade), people have always found reasons to separate from each other. Some of these reasons…
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Stigma Pressure

Can stereotypes be detrimental even if you don’t believe them? In Whistling Vivaldi, Dr. Claude Steele addresses the idea of stigma pressure. Some common stereotypes in America are: These and many other erroneous assumptions have wreaked havoc on our culture and continue to damage relationships. Further, the beliefs and assumptions of the general culture can…
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3 Ways to Disagree Well

Do you feel like this when approaching conflict? Most people deal with conflict through avoidance or hostility. They either: There is a better way to deal with disagreements. Focusing on these three things will shift most of your conflict from hurtful to helpful conversations. 1. Focus on the main goal Conflict happens when coworkers or…
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Unoffendable

As someone that regularly speaks on race and religion (somehow politics seems to sneak its way in too), I often find myself facilitating very polarized arguments. Our society is increasingly embracing the opposite of James 1:19 and instead embracing stubbornness in listening to others, and quickness in getting angry. In the middle of these discussions,…
