As a manager, you play a key role in creating an environment where every employee feels valued, understood and respected. However, without proper attention and awareness, subtle forms of exclusion and prejudice can go unnoticed, leading to a work environment where not everyone can thrive. A lack of diversity and inclusiveness can seriously disrupt your team dynamics and even undermine team performance.

The challenges of diversity and inclusiveness go beyond simply recognising and appreciating differences. They require you to communicate effectively, manage conflict, and foster a culture of respect and openness where everyone feels free to share their ideas without fear of judgement. Without these skills, even with the best intentions, you may unwittingly contribute to a culture of exclusion and discrimination.

To address this often very sensitive issue, we propose a one-day workshop. During this workshop, you will see how to effectively promote diversity and inclusiveness within your team. You will gain insight into your own prejudices and learn how to recognise and overcome them. In addition, you will learn how to encourage open and inclusive communication and collaboration. Make diversity and inclusiveness a strength in your team!

Learning objectives

After this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of diversity, inclusiveness and positive psychology and how to apply them in your leadership.
2. Create a culture of psychological safety where all team members feel free to speak up, which is essential for innovation and growth.
3. Recognise and effectively address subtle forms of exclusion and prejudice within your team or organisation.
4. Establish assertive communication and respectful boundaries, using techniques from positive psychology, to promote a respectful and supportive work environment.
5. Foster an inclusive culture that values and utilises diversity within teams.

Programme

Fundamentals and awareness

• Introduction to diversity, inclusiveness, and positive psychology

  Discover how these principles combine to form a powerful foundation for your leadership in healthcare.

• The importance of psychological safety

  Learn how creating an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and speak out is essential for innovation and growth.

Skills and techniques

• Applying positive psychology in your perceptions and communication

  Use principles from positive psychology to promote a positive change in mindsets and integrate inclusiveness into your daily interactions.

• Setting boundaries and dealing with violations within positive psychology

  Learn techniques to communicate assertively, set respectful boundaries and give constructive feedback.

• Promote inclusiveness and psychological safety through your leadership

  Learn practical tools and techniques for creating a supportive culture, including encouraging open communication and celebrating diversity.

• Building and maintaining an inclusive corporate culture

  Create an action plan to drive continuous improvement and engagement in your team.

• Develop action plans

  Develop joint and individual action plans to apply what you have learned within your teams and the wider organisation.

Approach

Our approach to the 'Diversity and Inclusiveness in Leadership' workshop is based on actively engaging each participant through a mix of theory, practice, personal experience, and reflection.

We start by laying a solid theoretical foundation, exploring the principles of diversity, inclusiveness and positive psychology. We then switch to interactive exercises and scenarios that allow you to apply the theory and experience for yourself what the impact of your actions can be. These practical sessions are enhanced by reflection and sharing experiences, where you learn not only from the coach but also from your fellow participants. The aim is to provide you with concrete tools and strategies that you can immediately use to drive positive change in your work environment.

By placing a strong focus on metacognition, we encourage you to think critically about your own learning and how you can apply it in your role as a leader. This ensures a deep understanding and the skills needed to foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

This approach ensures that by the end of the workshop you will not only have gained an understanding of the value of diversity and inclusiveness, but also practical tools and insights to actually make a difference as a leader. You will go home with the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a more inclusive and psychologically safe working environment.

Experiential learning at The House of Coaching

The House of Coaching stands for experience-based learning. As a participant, you continuously engage with theory through practical, experiential exercises that teach you to apply your skills in real situations. We facilitate the learning process through maximum interaction and sharing of experiences. That's learning that really sticks!

Tutor: Steff Vanhaverbeke

At the helm of this transformative workshop is Steff, an expert with more than 25 years of experience in leadership, education and coaching. Her deep commitment and insight into the matter of diversity and inclusiveness stem not only from her extensive professional background, but also from her personal journey. As a transgender woman, Steff brings an authentic and multifaceted perspective to the workshop, making her ideally positioned to embody and promote all aspects of inclusivity.

Her wealth of experience enables Steff to translate complex concepts into understandable and practical applications, helping participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also learn how to put it into practice. Combining her personal and professional insights, Steff creates a learning environment where openness, understanding and empathy are key.

Participating in this workshop means learning from someone who knows first-hand both the challenges and opportunities of diversity and inclusiveness. Steff's unique ability to connect, teach and inspire makes this experience not only instructive, but also deeply transformative for anyone striving for a more inclusive leadership style within their organisation.

Summary

This workshop is more than a training course; it is an investment in the future of the organisation and society. It equips managers with the knowledge and tools they need to foster an inclusive culture. This directly contributes to an environment where every employee feels valued and understood. This not only has a positive impact on job satisfaction and productivity but also strengthens the reputation as a socially responsible organisation.