Having courageous and challenging conversations in the workplace can be uncomfortable and difficult, but they are necessary for growth and progress.

In order to have these conversations, it’s important to have a foundation of allyship, foster a culture of psychological safety, and be comfortable with discomfort. Additionally, cultural intelligence can help individuals become comfortable having conversations with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences.

Support and advocacy for marginalized groups in the workplace can be achieved by listening to their experiences, acknowledging, and using privilege to support their efforts, and being willing to have uncomfortable conversations about difficult topics. By recognizing power dynamics and privilege, individuals can support those who may not have the same advantages.

Everyone should be able to speak up and express their opinions without fear of retribution or judgment. By creating a culture of psychological safety in the workplace this can help facilitate challenging conversations by creating a safe space for individuals to share their thoughts and ideas. This can lead to more productive and effective collaboration among team members.

Being comfortable being uncomfortable involves recognizing that growth and progress require discomfort. This means being willing to have conversations that may be difficult or make one feel vulnerable. By embracing discomfort, individuals can grow and learn from others’ experiences and perspectives.

By fundamentally understanding and appreciating cultural differences in the workplace, including recognising, and respecting different beliefs, values, and customs, can ensure that individuals can become more comfortable having conversations with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences.

In summary, having courageous and challenging conversations in the workplace requires a foundation of allyship, a culture of psychological safety, and being comfortable with discomfort. Cultural intelligence can also help individuals become more comfortable having conversations with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences. By embracing these concepts, individuals can foster a more inclusive and productive workplace.

In this interactive and engaging session, Joanne Lockwood speaks about her own experiences and the techniques she has developed to become a more effective communicator.  Also, what you can do right now and how to be able to support others.

Key Take Away

• Recognise the importance of allyship in having courageous conversations in the workplace.
• Understand the value of psychological safety in fostering a culture of productive and effective collaboration.
• Be willing to embrace discomfort in order to facilitate growth and progress.
• Develop cultural intelligence to become more comfortable having conversations with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Start having courageous and challenging conversations to foster a more inclusive and productive workplace.

The session can consist of an online presentation with audience engagement and interaction via break-out rooms. Following the presentation, Joanne will be around for an open Q&A where you can challenge her with your thoughts or maybe even ask her for some ideas on how you can tackle your own challenges.