Becoming a diverse and inclusive (DEI) leader is an integral skill for business leaders, and this certificate includes courses that address unconscious bias, cultivate psychologically safe environments, and use DEI data to inform practices and policies within your organization.
This four-course program explores the latest research in diversity, equity and inclusion management. Each course is offered live online and can be taken individually.
Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias is part of human psychology – our minds use unconscious criteria to categorize information quickly. Left unchecked, these biases may lead to unfair or discriminatory behaviors that have far-reaching repercussions. Training on unconscious bias should form part of any comprehensive diversity equity inclusion (DEI) strategy for creating an environment which ensures everyone feels safe at work.
One of the best ways to combat unconscious bias is to introduce counterstereotypical information. Studies conducted by Stanford University social psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt revealed that when people see images of weapons related to crime – like guns and knives – they more quickly associate those items with Black people than White ones. One way to address unconscious bias is through encouraging dialogue among employees about their experiences. Corning, a global manufacturer of high-tech glass and ceramics, hosts an employee forum called Intersections that allows employees and leaders to share their own personal experiences related to bias, in order to reduce prejudice and foster more positive interactions among workers.
An effective approach to combat unconscious bias is through education of managers and employees on how their language impacts others. If an employer uses words which deter or disengage an employee demographic group from moving up in their careers, those employees could struggle. Training helps employees understand the consequences of their language use while developing more inclusive ways to express themselves in business settings.
Unconscious bias is only one component of Diversity and Inclusion (DEI), so it’s important to keep in mind that effective training won’t consist of preaching directly at employees; rather, it should consist of dialogue and workshops which allow employees to confront their biases safely.
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence refers to a set of values, attitudes and behaviors that enable healthcare professionals to work effectively across cultures. It helps providers acknowledge and respect patients’ beliefs, language needs, interpersonal styles and behaviors while providing quality healthcare to all. Cultural competency also involves being mindful of social inequality effects while devising systems, policies and practices which promote diversity and inclusion.
Cultural competence involves actively listening and showing empathy toward those with differing experiences, beliefs, and ways of doing things than your own. An absence of cultural understanding and knowledge can result in miscommunication, misunderstandings, frustration, or poor communications between parties involved. Acquiring cultural proficiency takes time and dedication – however it’s vital to forming lasting relationships.
Remembering this fact can help keep prejudice at bay; all you can do to address it is educate yourself, accept responsibility for any biases you might hold and practice mindfulness. Avoid making statements which target a specific individual as this could be insulting and demeaning.
GTI’s four-part diversity equity and inclusion certificate program offers courses on unconscious bias, cultural competence, psychological safety and inclusive leadership. You can take the courses in any order or mix daytime classes with evening ones – making the program accessible to people across all roles from HR/diversity leaders to C-suite executives. In addition, participants gain access to GTI Symposium events – an intensive series of live virtual Zoom sessions hosted by Cornell faculty experts covering today’s most pressing diversity and inclusion topics.
Communication
Effective diversity and inclusion leaders require effective communication skills to lead their organizations with diversity and inclusion in mind. These abilities should include being able to listen carefully, understand other perspectives, promote respectful conversations with all employees as well as fostering respectful discourse within organizations. By cultivating these abilities leaders can make their organizations more welcoming and diverse.
Are You Searching For Diversity And Inclusion Training? Consider Enrolling In The Cornell Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate Course! This online course teaches how to develop culturally competent work processes that increase productivity while simultaneously addressing any issues that might hinder diversity efforts. This two month training can be completed for either one time fee or four monthly payments.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is becoming more relevant to workplace environments today. Many organizations have implemented programs designed to foster an inclusive culture because they realize the many ways different backgrounds and experiences can lead to positive business results – including increased revenue streams, groundbreaking innovations and enhanced performance.
Diversity can bring great advantages, yet its implementation in the workplace may prove challenging. Some individuals may feel awkward discussing sensitive subjects in public.
Companies must ensure they offer training on how to effectively engage employees in meaningful discussions on diversity and inclusion, in order to help their employees become more comfortable discussing such topics and gain confidence in creating inclusive environments – this will enable them to meet organizational goals with ease and reach new heights of success.
Conflict Resolution
Diversity must be embedded into an organization’s culture for it to truly work; leaders must acknowledge and respect cultural differences while being able to facilitate conversations that are respectful and inclusive, managing any conflicts that may arise as well as effectively mediate any disagreements that might occur. That is why the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Certificate Program was created; comprising six workshops available to faculty and staff members that focus on aspects of diversity such as communication across differences or conflict resolution.
Conflict is an inevitability when people come from differing backgrounds, beliefs and values; leaders must recognize this fact of human life and address any conflicts as soon as they emerge. Conflict may not always stem from individuals but instead involve larger social structures contributing to division and intolerance – so solving it shouldn’t just mean finding solutions, but rather creating something positive from it that brings people together and fosters reconciliation.
Normella is an accomplished presenter, communicator and trainer with experience presenting to both large and small audiences. Her training encompasses leadership development, organizational performance and change management, team building exercises, cross-cultural intelligence development and conflict transformation processes. Normella has collaborated with business entities, government agencies, law enforcement officers, community groups, students and healthcare organizations in these areas.
To become a certified diversity, equity and inclusion professional, it is necessary to complete courses that will teach you how to identify and combat biases. The course includes online instructor-led classes which will equip you with all of the knowledge and abilities required for being an inclusion specialist.
Leadership
With our world becoming ever more diverse, organizations need to prioritize diversity equity and inclusion as an objective of business operations. Indeed, research shows that organizations which prioritize diversity see increased performance and profitability; making such changes requires leadership that extends beyond human resources alone – leaders must identify issues, create solutions and implement change throughout all levels of an organization – this graduate certificate program equips participants with tools necessary for becoming inclusive leaders within their own organizations.
This introductory course covers the fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and seeks to foster an understanding of how cultural differences may impact interpersonal communication. Students also learn how to recognize biases as well as utilize various strategies for conflict resolution. Furthermore, this course explores privilege and how an inclusive work environment allows all employees to flourish.
The second course in this program equips leaders to establish diverse and inclusive workplaces that foster innovation and employee wellbeing. The class blends online coursework with in-person sessions led by expert faculty. Students gain an understanding of racial injustice while also discovering their own beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes regarding diversity at work – this knowledge equipping them to become more effective leaders while creating an inclusive, collaborative work culture which benefits all.