Executive Diversity Services offers practical, skill-building training programs that are customized to your organization. Over 10,000 people every year attend our workshops and leave saying they can immediately use the tools learned in both their work life and personal life. Our workshops are dynamic, engaging and practical. Learn more about our workplace training programs:
EDS Approach to Workplace Training
We believe that the best successes come from partnerships. We work closely with you to craft a Diversity & Inclusion product that is better than either of us alone could achieve. Our design and delivery of Diversity & Inclusion training programs are grounded in research and application from the fields of multicultural communication, social psychology and adult learning, which translates to the following beliefs and practices:
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Diversity & Inclusion Training content should always include a combination of awareness, information and tools that people can use to develop greater effectiveness. We involve participants’ heads, hearts and hands.
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We believe it is important to provide a framework of understanding so that participants can continue learning after they leave our classes. In the area of workplace diversity and culture, this includes how culture teaches values, behaviors and perceptions.
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Employer-provided training should have a business purpose. Therefore, we design Diversity & Inclusion training that is focused on both the workplace and behavior.
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Because people learn more readily where they feel safe, our training is non-confrontational. Each participant is treated with respect and without judgment.
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Because modeling is a powerful form of teaching, Executive Diversity Services prefers to provide training with a two-person team. This allows us to fully attend to the needs of all participants, to demonstrate two different styles of communication and training, and to model how a diverse team of people can work effectively together. Client needs and short classes may warrant one trainer.
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Attention to adult learning styles is critical to success of any training program. As we design both content and process for classes, we attend to developmental stages. Courses include brief lectures, simulations, small group exercises, discussions, videotapes and other visual aids, role playing, self assessments, and suggested reading materials.
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Class size affects dynamics. We limit class size to a maximum of 30, with 25 being optimal.
Train the Trainer
A three-to-five day intensive “train the trainer” class prepares employees inside your organization to deliver specific content. We have trainer courses for cultural diversity awareness, conflict management and resolution, customer service delivery and others upon request. Content includes components on:
- a) The Process of Training, including adult learning styles, approaches to training, sequencing of training components, and training ethics;
- b) Specific Content of the curricula the trainers will be delivering;
- c) General Training Skills including how to locate and/or develop ice breakers, exercises, simulations, videotapes, and role plays;
- d) Affective Components of Training including emotional issues for trainers, for participants, and group process; and
- e) Practice and Evaluation including a presentation by each trainer-participant with evaluation by self, peers, and consultants.
Following this three-to-five day training program, trainers will be paired into teams. Each training team will co-train with a consultant and will be observed by a consultant before being certified to train alone. Executive Diversity Services helps establish criteria for selection and assists in the selection of candidates for the class.
Because of the intensive nature and cost of this class, it is not recommended for organizations with fewer than 1000 employees.
Course Titles
Building Effective Teams
Work groups need to be productive, profitable, collaborative and harmonious in order to perform most effectively. Additionally, the ability to create and maintain an effective work group is impacted by the diverse values, approaches and needs of individual members. This team building workshop focuses on how to build feelings of belonging, respect, and trust among team members. This course may be offered to existing work teams, or as a group session for management development.
Cross Cultural Communication
Do you want to be most effective in communicating with people who are different from you? Participants in this class identify ways to reduce misperceptions and increase communication effectiveness with others in the work environment: superiors, peers, subordinates, and customers. Participants assess their own values and styles and those of the organization, and learn tools to improve multicultural communication across differences.
Cultural Diversity Training
Defining culture and diversity in the workplace very inclusively, participants explore the roles of perceptions and stereotypes in creating cross-cultural misunderstandings. The class explores the three invisible aspects of culture that are most important in achieving value-added interactions with diverse co-workers or customers: nonverbal behaviors, communication
Defining culture and diversity in the workplace very inclusively, participants explore the roles of perceptions and stereotypes in creating cross-cultural misunderstandings. The class explores the three invisible aspects of culture that are most important in achieving value-added interactions with diverse co-workers or customers: nonverbal behaviors, communication styles and values. Participants receive information, increase personal awareness, and learn tools to improve interpersonal effectiveness across differences.
Customer Service for a Diverse Clientele
This class focuses on tools and behaviors for effective customer service and satisfaction with a diverse customer base. Through a self-assessment instrument, participants learn to identify behaviors that can create unintentional barriers between themselves and the people they want to serve. Tools are identified and practiced.
This class focuses on tools and behaviors for effective customer service and satisfaction with a diverse customer base. Through a self-assessment instrument, participants learn to identify behaviors that can create unintentional barriers between themselves and the people they want to serve. Tools are identified and practiced.
English as a Second Language
Whether you manage employees or serve clients for whom English is a second language, this course will help you identify behaviors to improve communication effectiveness. Focus includes verbal, written, and non-verbal communication tools.
Generational Value Differences at Work
Generational conflicts go well beyond parent/child interactions. This class explores generational value and behavior differences that are impacting today’s rapidly changing workforce. Participants learn what motivates age cohort groups and learn tools to increase communication and workplace productivity.
Interpersonal Conflict Management
Do you want to reduce interpersonal conflicts in your life? This session will allow you to identify personal history, values and behaviors that can create mis-perceptions and conflict with others. Participants will practice strategies and tools for conflict management and conflict resolution.
Men and Women Working Together: Bridging the Gender Gap
If you have ever had a misunderstanding with someone of the “other” gender, this class is for you! This session approaches gender as a culture and examines differences in communication, perceptions and behaviors in a fun, safe, and supportive atmosphere. Participants identify cross-gender challenges and solutions to creating gender-appreciative work environments.
Mentoring
Separate morning orientation sessions for mentors and those being mentored outline expectations and specific program commitments for each participant. The afternoon is spent together beginning the relationship process, reviewing resource materials and jointly reviewing the roles of each party.
Serving Difficult Clients
There is increasing concern in today’s workforce over clients who are perceived to be rude, distrustful, sometimes overly aggressive and potentially dangerous. Participants in this class identify their own definitions of conflict and what makes a client difficult for them. They then learn several types of difficult people and practice tools for managing interactions with them.
Understanding & Managing Change
This course helps participants identify common responses (physical, psychological and behavioral) to change. Participants learn tools for managing the stress related to change and for turning change into a personal success. Supervisors and managers learn tools for most effectively involving employees in change and supporting employees through difficult organizational changes.
Valuing & Managing Diversity for Supervisors and Managers
This is an advanced class for supervisors and managers who have had the introductory Diversity Awareness class. It is designed to help supervisors and managers identify specific methods for creating an inclusive work environment.