Welcome to Merge's Monthly Mega Minute - a bite-sized, yet substantial and practical, nugget of information that you can use immediately to enhance your professional and personal success.

Diversity and inclusion is isn’t enough; we should be striving to create belonging

There is a well-known quote by diversity and inclusion expert Verna Myers that says “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”  And it is a statement that has resonated with me for many years in my ongoing individual and group work with leaders.  I have long espoused the vital role leaders play in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.  But a few months ago, I had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with several professional colleagues on this very topic, and I realized, that as much as I like this metaphor, it is actually insufficient.

Being “asked to dance” assumes that the relationship is one-way. But real inclusion should be a two-way shared relationship in which all parties have both the ability and confidence to initiate an interaction. Real inclusion requires three additional features.

1. That anyone can offer input into the music playlist knowing that it will be considered;
2. That any party can ask another person to dance; and
3. That there are no physical or other barriers that prevent someone from getting out on to the dance floor.

As I continued my conversation with my colleagues, we came to the decision that the word that would best describe inclusion plus these three aspects is “belonging”. And as leaders, we should be striving to create workplaces in which all our employees feel like they belong.

So I have now revised the phrasing I use with my clients leaders to the following:

Diversity is being invited to the party, and inclusion is being asked to dance. Belonging, however is much more. To create belonging, leaders need to establish climate in which everyone believes that they can provide input to the playlist, ask others to dance, and access the dance floor.

I’d love to hear your take on what I’ve just said. Please share your perspective by adding your comment directly on the blog at www.turningmanagersintoleaders.com/blog.

The 10^th Annual Spark Women’s Leadership Conference rescheduled (due to wildfires)

Earlier this year, Merge was pretty darn excited to be speaking at the 10^th Annual Spark Women’s Leadership Conference on May 17-18 in Fort St. John BC. Well, one day before the conference, the entire city of Fort St. John was put on evacuation alert due to wildfires that were threatening the safety of its citizens. Needless to say, and much to the dismay of the organizers who had been planning for almost a year, the Conference was cancelled. But it’s back! It has been rescheduled to September 20-21, 2023 at the same location. This premiere event brings together hundreds of women leaders (and the men who work with and support them) from across northern BC for two days of learning and celebration. Merge will be presenting both a mainstage keynote and a professional development workshop. If you live and/or work in northern BC, this event absolutely should be on your radar! Find out more and register at www.SharingTheSpark.com.

Turning Managers Into Leaders

• Video: In compassionate workplaces, leaders communicate frequently and with transparency. When you communicate clearly, frequently and with transparency, you build trust. And compassionate workplaces!
• Leading change you don't agree with? Rise above your emotions. Leading change you don't agree with can be hard. Here are three strategies to rise above your emotions
• Video: Social connections → positive relationships → a compassionate workplace. 
  Social connections give rise to positive relationships amongst team members which leads to a compassionate workplace
  

That Merge designs and delivers leadership skills training uniquely crafted for your organization and your people?

In any training design, there are many elements to choose from, and Merge will work closely with you to determine your specific needs and establish objectives that are relevant and meaningful to you. Your final outcome could be a one-time training event or a series of graduated learning programs; it could involve online or distance-learning modules; it could contain audio or video components; it could incorporate the use of social media or "virtual study groups"; it could even include peer support or one-on-one mentoring. Whatever it is, it will be uniquely "you", and Merge will expertly craft and deliver what you need to turn your managers into leaders and your people power into real and tangible results. Visit our Training Services section at our website for more information. Or for a first-hand look at what Merge can help you accomplish, read through our Training Case Studies.