ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Courageous Leadership for Inclusive Conversations
…We need to be able to connect to people on two levels: heart and mind.
– Quint Studer
To continuously improve our organizations, leaders must engage courageously in conversations that integrate diverse viewpoints, beliefs and experiences. In this roundtable, Dr. Gayle Juneau-Butler shared tips on preparing and facilitating inclusive conversations while navigating the compelling and emotional topics that impact our teams and those we serve.
In the roundtable and the discussion groups, Gayle challenged leaders to think about a complicated, difficult or polarizing issue within their organizations and rate their readiness and their team’s readiness to lead the organization to a better point or place:
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On a scale of 0-5, what is your sense of your organization’s need for more inclusive conversations? To the degree that you are willing to share specific issues or thoughts, please elaborate.
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Did you experience any revelations about yourself or your team/colleagues/organization as you weighed initial readiness for a more inclusive conversation on a particular topic? If you feel comfortable, please share some parts of your story.
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What are ideas that come to mind immediately as you consider the stages of engagement in more inclusive conversations? What is capital that you have already? What will you need?
Roundtable Resources
Conversations that Honor all Employees | Studer Education
Leaders have the responsibility and privilege of honoring all employee experiences by modeling and encouraging meaningful discussions. Conversations that honor all employees are especially important in the wake of disruptive events at the local and national levels.
Anticipating Difficult Conversations | 9P
As leaders conduct monthly meetings and regular check-ins with the employees that report to them, it may become apparent that some individuals are more difficult than others. If you find yourself dealing with an employee who frequently guides meetings to an unproductive place, anticipate this behavior and develop a plan to refocus the conversation.
Hear More on Inclusive Conversations from Dr. Gayle Juneau-Butler on the Accelerate Your Performance Podcast
EP 149: The 3-Stage Framework for Inclusive Conversations
Some topics are easier to approach in the workplace than others. Conflicting issues and viewpoints often leave leaders stuck between a rock and a hard place. Discussing topics like diversity and inclusion can feel risky for leaders who don’t know how their teams will react. With these leaders in mind, Dr. Gayle Juneau Butler and Dr. Janet Pilcher collaborated to develop a 3-stage framework to have positive, inclusive conversations. Listen as Gayle joins Janet to walk us through that approach.
Toolkits
Toolkits are developed by our experts to guide leaders with a framework for complex solutions. View and download our interactive toolkits on communicating using the Execution Triangle, results rollout, execution and improvement, crisis communication and more.
Future Roundtable Sessions
Each week, our coaches lead a discussion with a community of leaders who are facing similar challenges. These 60-minute sessions are free and allow opportunities to learn from expert leadership coaches and have candid conversations with other leaders about barriers, share successful practices and re-center on what works.
