Training Industry Magazine - March/April 2021 - 45

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Now more than ever, we need to
connect authentically to thrive in our
work environments, yet we wrestle
with myriad issues that complicate and
hinder our efforts. A global pandemic
made many holidays solitary affairs
and required homebound employees
to adjust to new ways of working.
Nationwide protests against police
brutality reminded us that many feel
unsafe, and civil unrest made public
our deepest divides. Many of us
are starved for ways to experience
feelings of belonging and trust. And,
as people bring that longing, wariness
and fear to their work, our diversity
and inclusion (D&I) efforts are more
important than ever.
How can we create community as we
acknowledge so many hard truths
along the path to our new normal?
How can we build bridges of trust
when people are on edge? How can
we confront these issues - especially
given the hurdles we face? The answer
lies in meaningful conversations.

Meaningful
Conversations
Are at the Center
of Connection
On the surface, meaningful conversations
might sound like big exchanges
surrounding an organization's culture.
They aren't.
Meaningful conversations are a series of
moments tackling deeper issues, fueled
by the desire to do the emotional work
necessary to make the workplace more
personal. Inclusion demands that we
deepen our sense of community through
authentic self-expression and commitment
to one another. Although organizations
should approach these conversations

with urgency, we must keep in mind that
the process of engaging in constructive,
open dialogue is ongoing. The good news
is that truly meaningful conversations can
be encouraged not only in person but in
virtual settings as well.

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 A culture of respectful debate.
 Decisions based on more
diverse opinions.
 Organizational muscle to solve
qw
problems together.
 More resilient teams and
team members.
Meaningful conversations encourage
us to consider our experiences and
perceptions beyond the checkboxes
used to label our identities. When we
dig deep to find ways to connect - by
seeking to understand each other's
differences and similarities and by
asking questions and challenging
assumptions - we find commonalities.
We connect.

Foster Everyday
Conversations for
a Worthy Challenge
Some people avoid deeper conversations
in the workplace for fear of bringing up
historically off-limits topics. Yet, if those
people could be convinced of the merits
of these efforts, their attempts could
lead to a healthier work environment
while yielding dramatic results for the
bottom line. Studies show that, when we
effectively equip managers to facilitate
open dialogue and foster psychological
safety, organizations can realize a 27%
reduction in turnover, a 40% reduction
in safety incidents and a 12% increase
in productivity.
It takes time, skill and intention to promote
compassionate, inclusive and respectful
interactions and foster connection through
empathetic conversations. However, in
the end, it's worth it to achieve:
 Increased individual self-awareness
for employees.

Best Practices
for a Culture
of Conversations
that Matter
As companies aim for more open, direct
dialogue, they can follow several guiding
principles to create an environment of
transparency and curiosity. Whether
teams are co-located or remote,
following these best practices will foster
conversations that build cohesion.

1

Set the tone - and role
model from the top.

Build trust with your employees and
partners by setting high standards for your
leadership's commitment to openness.
Leaders must model the company's values
and showcase acceptable behaviors.
Listening, responding to feedback and
committing to participate in open dialogue
are requirements.

T R A I N I N G I N DUSTR Y MAGAZ INE - BUILDING AN EQUITABLE W ORKP L AC E I WWW. T RAI NINGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE

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https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236198/create-culture-psychological-safety.aspx https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine
Training Industry Magazine - March/April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - March/April 2021
