Ah stereotypes... Have you noticed that the negative ones are usually more about certain people than others? And that those “certain” people are usually not in the dominant group? Think about it. Who are the bad drivers, the late-comers, the lazy ones...the list goes on. Of course there are positive …
assumptions
Blind Spot – Part 2: Social Mindbugs
Last week I introduced you to social mindbugs. This week, I’m going to make the case a little more, because I know that it’s challenging to take in that what our unconscious mind believes can lead us in a direction/to a behaviour or conclusion that our conscious mind would abhor. In case you missed …
The Power of One Word
Language is an important part of creating and sustaining safe and inclusive space. It’s also relatively easy to change, so can start to make a difference quickly (unlike some changes that require policies, or that can get stuck in organizational red tape). Checking your language requires awareness …
Faith @ Work…?
Tomorrow I’m going to the day-long conference http://www.diversityatwork.org/ put on by Skills for Change. The topic is faith in the workplace – an issue that is on the radar more often these days in the world of diversity and inclusion. I’m looking forward to the panel discussion on the …
Family Stickers
A little levity on a Friday afternoon....with a message, of course. I walked into the pet store earlier this week and was confronted with a large cardboard marketing campaign for Family Stickers – the new thing in advertising who we are through our vehicles. You may have seen them – they are stick …
“Foreign Workers” – really Tim?!
Since the foundation of the work I do is helping people to become aware of the assumptions, stereotypes, and perceptions they carry - and how these (often unconsciously) create barriers for others and between themselves and others - I have to comment on Tim Hudak's use of the term "foreign …
Ramadan – and the importance of sharing experience
Last week I read Toronto Star columnist Rick Salutin's column (The Ramadan kids go to the cottage). What struck me most about what he writes is how words alone fail us. He writes about having 2 Muslim children spend a few days at the cottage with his son and himself, and the experience of fasting …
[Continue reading] Ramadan – and the importance of sharing experience
Connecting with People
Two weeks ago, I assisted at a workshop called The Mastery of Self Expression. One of the main themes of the workshop is connecting with others. At one point, Larry Gilman (the facilitator) spoke about how quickly we look away when we pass people on the street. The fact that few people say hello …