Spring 2024 HRLF Recap
Inclusion: Strengthening Us Collectively
The Quality Coach® (TQC) recently sponsored an HRLF (Human Resources Leadership Forum) event at Sunset Bluffs in Washington, Missouri. Lunch was catered by Mosaic Café. TQC hosts a fall and a spring session providing topics of interest and networking for those in Human Resources, Operations, Organizational Effectiveness and other leaders who are working with people.
The recent session had a draw of approximately 30 individuals representing a wide sector of businesses and organizations. The main speaker was Dr. Cassandra Walker Suggs owner and founder of Suggs Mediation Specialist Firm. She gave a passionate presentation about inclusion drawing from her own experiences and challenging the audience to consider reframing their own lens when viewing others . One example she provided of biases is one of an aging population which is reflected in our workforce today. In giving specific examples (some which brought on laughter and some tears) the audience was able to tap into their own thinking and experiences around the topic.
TQC chose the topic of inclusion so that professionals could come together, learn and talk about this important workplace subject (as both a challenge and an opportunity) with their colleagues. The subject matter was inspired by the winter 2023 issue of HR Magazine, The Diversity Dilemma, citing that DEI programs have caused divisiveness in some organizations and actually has alienated some employees-creating a non-inclusive environment.
“What was meant for good has in some cases been a detriment to organizations.” states Dr. Brenda Bouse, TQC’s CEO and owner. “However when we keep it simple in putting inclusion first, meaning that everyone is seen and heard, employee engagement increases as well as productivity across the organization. The CEO of SHRM Johnny Taylor provides this thought ‘inclusion takes problem solving, creativity and collaboration to a whole new level and will strengthen us collectively’. So it really comes down to how do we create a healthy workplace culture? And that is exactly why we invited Dr. Suggs to be our guest speaker and she did an amazing job in providing us with new perspectives and much to consider.”
During Dr. Sugg’s presentation, she pointed out that all of us have particular biases that creep into our decisions. “It’s part of being human,” she says. Dr. Suggs went on to share experiences from her past in which she both participated in giving as well as receiving negative treatment based on biased decisions. She further highlighted the impact it had on her and others. Her humble and vulnerable approach shed light on how we can make a lasting difference in others lives by pausing for a moment to think about the biases we have and how we can look past them to get to know the real person before us.
“Inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging and giving everyone access to whatever it is that they have the ability to do. Don’t we all want that?”
Dr. Cassandra Walker Suggs
A huge thank you is extended to all who attended and provided great dialogue.
The Quality Coach® is a SHRM recertification provider and the 2024 spring HRLF qualifies for 1.25 of SHRM PDC credits for those who attended.