Harnessing elasticity to adapt to the demands of DEI work | Dr. Rebecca Sutherns

How should people and organizations approach the task of indigenizing or decolonizing their services?

It starts with a willingness and openness to engage and build relationships. Be intentional, humble, prepared, and respectful when engaging with Indigenous individuals and communities.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Christine Platt, the Geriatric Systems Implementation Facilitator at the Waterloo Wellington Older Adult Strategy. They reflect on their journey of learning and connection with local Indigenous communities while co-creating the Caring for Older Indigenous Adults in Waterloo Wellington course. They talk about some practical considerations for building relationships with Indigenous individuals and communities, and discuss the benefits of indigenizing healthcare and social services.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-platt-4750652b/

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How can organizations move past performative allyship and engage in anti-racism and equity work 365?

In this episode of Just One Q, Dr. Melissa Horne is joined by Colleen James to discuss performative allyship at an organizational level and how to engage in anti-racism and equity work 365.

Former host Melissa Horne chats with guest Colleen James, an educator, DEI consultant, and founder of Divonify. Their conversation offers insights into how organizations can actively engage in anti-racism and equity work 365.

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https://divonify.com/

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What are the impacts of silence and how can we unlearn it?

We usually turn to soft skills training as a remedy for the lack of belonging, psychological safety, and communication in a workplace. But often, silence is the hidden layer underpinning all of these issues. Organizations should work to identify, acknowledge, and dismantle cultures of silence that disproportionately affect people with subordinate identities. Individual leaders also have a big role to play in assessing their own biases and unlearning the habits of silence.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Elaine Lin Hering, a facilitator, author, and speaker who works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. They examine the foundation and impacts of silence and offer guidance to organizations and individuals on the power of speaking up.

Keep Up with Elaine:
https://elainelinhering.com/

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As we enter the holiday season, this replay of Just One Q is especially relevant. Our former host Dr. Melissa Horne chats with Executive Director of Encounter World Religions, Dr. Brian Carwana. They discuss the importance of religious literacy in the workplace and how being intentional about incorporating religious inclusion in DEI efforts is essential to creating a welcoming space where employees can be their authentic selves at work.

We’ll be pausing for the Holidays and returning in January 2024 with more great episodes.

Happy Holidays from the Just One Q team!

How Can Mindfulness Shape Our Approach to Work?

The simple act of stopping and becoming aware of our beliefs and preconceived notions is a powerful tool to help us relate to ourselves and to others. In the workplace, this can lead to better mental health, a greater sense of belonging, and improved capacity for decision making.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Peter Huang, an author applying his experiences as a mathematical economist, an economics professor, and a law professor to help address problems our society currently faces. They explore the current mental health challenges experienced by lawyers and discuss the potential collective benefits of mindfulness in reshaping the legal field. Dr. Huang provides thoughtful examples and actions you can make in your own life.

Keep Up with Dr. Peter Huang:
https://www.peterhenryhuang.com/

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How should non-Indigenous people carry Truth and Reconciliation into the rest of the year?

It’s going to take time and commitment to follow the path of reckoning with our pasts as we move forward with building relationships that foster reconciliation. After some self reflection, a good starting point is to reflect on the principles of reconciliation and how they apply to your workplace and community.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Janine Manning, an Indigenous Consultant, Abundance Advocate, Philanthropic Leader, and the Founder and Principal Consultant of Janine Manning Consulting. Their conversation touches on what we can do to carry the intentions and actions of Truth and Reconciliation beyond Orange Shirt Day and throughout the entire year, including how to support Indigenous colleagues and employees.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/manningjanine/

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How can we learn to use inclusive language at work?

Most of our language is produced on autopilot – we’re so busy thinking about what we want to get across that we often lose sight of how we’re phrasing it. Dr. Wertheim’s six principles of inclusive language offers a positive framework to help people mindfully and confidently choose inclusive language in any context. Instead of relying on dos and don’ts, Dr. Wertheim asks us to consider the “why” of our choices so that we can adjust as needed and openly discuss our word choices.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Suzanne Wertheim, a linguistic anthropologist whose focus is the intersection of language, identity, and power. She is also the author of the newly released book The Inclusive Language Field Guide. They discuss the powerful role of language in inclusion and highlight the need for engaging each other with empathy, respect, and humility. They also explore how to respond with our “why” when inclusive word choices are contested or critiqued.

Keep Up with Suzanne:
https://www.suzannewertheim.com/

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How can the lens of Oppression enrich workplace wellness initiatives?

An oppression lens can help to expose the root causes of compassion fatigue, burnout, and trauma that are often overlooked in mainstream wellness initiatives. Considering structural causes can help us design more targeted and effective options alongside the typical practices and activities.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Angie Arora, a Veterinary Social Worker specializing in veterinary wellbeing, pet loss support, and equity issues within veterinary medicine. As a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist and Mental Health & Wellbeing Coach, Angie provides coaching and training for veterinary professionals to improve professional quality of life. They talk about what workplace wellness can accomplish if it's done through the lens of oppression.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiearora/

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Be open to the transformative power of queer cultural values in your leadership practice at work and in your community.

As a broad group, the queer community is thriving despite constant changes, threats, and challenges to its existence. The collective cultural values of queer people can shine a light on how leaders in all spheres can navigate and transform the current social and political climate.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Joel Davis Brown, a sought-after speaker, poet, storyteller & transformational leadership expert, and author of The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Cultural Values Can Transform Your Leadership Practice. They explore the connection between personal transformation and effective leadership and how everyone can respectfully engage with queerness to authentically impact the world around them.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelanthonybrown/

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How can DEI withstand changes to Affirmative Action?

While the legal challenges to Affirmative Action are bad news, they’re not the end of the road for DEI. As DEI practitioners, we can overcome this wave of political resistance and stick to the path. We can continue to build inclusive organizational cultures. Our toolbelt includes the visible commitment of leaders, support for employee resource groups, sector-wide outreach, education, and more.

On this episode of Just One Q, Dominique chats with guest Dr. Shirley Knowles, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Progress, a customer-centred tech company based in Massachusetts. They discuss the importance of maintaining DEI commitments despite the recent changes to Affirmative Action in the U.S. and some simple, actionable tips for DEI practitioners facing resistance.

Keep Up with Dr. Shirley Knowles:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shirley-j-knowles-2391058/

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