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    • « A Delicious 2008 | Home | Social Learning SIG: 1st Webinar - an Introduction to Social Learning »

    The Turkey and Stuffing–getting dirty with Real Work

    By Kelly Orehovec | November 20, 2007

    The Diversity Inclusion team met last night at my place; we met for 3 hours and walked away once again with a deeper understanding of each other as well as specific strategic steps to take to help ASTD Cascadia become a more inclusive organization. This team is committed, spirited and dedicated. Piggy backing on the work that the ASTD Cascadia Board did at their recent Board retreat, the team is working on two goals—presenting a business case to the Board about why we want to be a more inclusive and diverse organization and establishing milestones so that we know we are achieving our goals of being a more inclusive and diverse organization—what does it mean to be successful? Milestones and Business Case. That is the turkey and stuffing of the diversity/inclusion teams’ work right now.

    Last night, Kory Murphy and Rekah Strong walked us through an eye-opening exercise that we decided to walk the Board through as well at the January ASTD Cascadia Board meeting. The exercise helped me understand the business case. Simply, we split into teams of 2 and talked about:

    1. Internal liabilities of not being an inclusive and diverse chapter
    2. External liabilities of not being an inclusive and diverse chapter
    3. Internal opportunities/benefits of being an inclusive and diverse chapter
    4. External opportunities/benefits of being an inclusive and diverse chapter

    These are just a few ideas that we came up with:

    1. Internal liabilities of not being an inclusive and diverse chapter
      1. Aging and stale organization
      2. Lower profitability
      3. Boring meetings/events
    2. External liabilities of not being an inclusive and diverse chapter
      1. Declining membership
      2. Fewer networking opportunities
      3. Failing to serve the community
    3. Internal opportunities/benefits of being an inclusive and diverse chapter
      1. Different perspectives on how to handle conflict
      2. Innovation
      3. Make more money
    4. External opportunities/benefits of being an inclusive and diverse chapter\
      1. National recognition
      2. Making more money
      3. Opportunity to model best practices

    There are many more. What are some that you can think of?

    We also walked through an exercise to identify how it feels to be part of an organization/team. Without giving it all away, I will leave you with this exercise to do on your own. Let me know your thoughts—post them on the blog or email me directly (korehovec@pyramidbrew.com).

    It will only take you a couple minutes.

    1. How do you FEEL as an insider when you are on a team?
    2. How do you FEEL as an outsider when you are on a team?
    3. How do you BEHAVE as an insider when you are on a team?
    4. How do you BEHAVE as an outsider when you are on a team?

    Again, let me know how it goes. What insights do you have? What did you learn? What can you teach others?

    Other posts on similar topics

    Topics: - Diversity |

    3 Responses to “The Turkey and Stuffing–getting dirty with Real Work”

    1. Liza Greene, President Says:
      November 20th, 2007 at 9:15 am

      I was extremely disappointed to miss the meeting last night due to health challenges. Yet I am amazingly energized after reading Kelly’s blog this morning. I am impressed with the quality and quantity of work put forth last night by the Strategic Inclusion Committee. It is powerful to hear about a business case for diversity and recognize the impact of moving forward (or not) with this work. As we begin to answer the question about what it means to be the premiere resource for Work Place Learning professionals, it is obvious that innovation, ability to model best practices, continued partnership with National, and enhanced conflict management are valuable resources to guide us in this work. Additionally, it never hurts to enhance the chapter’s revenue!

      To answer Kory and Rekah’s questions:
      1. How do you FEEL as an insider when you are on a team? Safe and secure
      2. How do you FEEL as an outsider when you are on a team? A bit scary at first, yet eventually quite invigorating
      3. How do you BEHAVE as an insider when you are on a team? Depends on the situation/topic – usually fairly extroverted and open to sharing my thoughts/opinions
      4. How do you BEHAVE as an outsider when you are on a team? A bit more cautious, reading the group’s norms/cues, eventually to the point where I can engage openly with the group

      A HUGE thanks to the Strategic Inclusion Committee for building the business case for inclusion. I know both the board and the chapter will significantly benefit from this effort and drive.

    2. Thomas Hardy Says:
      November 21st, 2007 at 10:05 am

      Hello ASTD,

      Be forewarned, I may be having a Jerry McGuire moment. However, as a volunteer and member at large for the past two years, please allow me to allow me to share my impression of the ASTD Cascadia Chapter and the Inclusion team in particular.

      In short, I am impressed. Such a dedicated and talented group of people overwhelms me. I am proud to say I have met and talked with – been so welcomed by, all of you. Sincerely, if a friend were to ask me – not that this happened ;-) what are you thankful for? I would have to include meeting Christine Martell, Liza Greene, Theme Grenz, Kelly Orehovec, Tonia Foster – just to name a few - and the shear pleasure of working with Aaron Munter.

      I consider myself fortunate in witnessing, from the inside out, such a dedicated and effective team of people. You guys are fun. Any one of us could do a dissertation ;-) on the rich learning culture and fortune of the Cascadia Chapter. Thank you.

      To me this is living diversity. Cultural Diversity and Inclusion is not merely engaging someone who is culturally different from yourself; it is first knowing Yourself and all of your cultural preferences, leadership styles, learning styles, communication styles, natural intelligence and being you together with others and encouraging them to do the same. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving – right wrong or indifferent. Thank you for being you together with others. Happy Thanksgiving ASTD Cascadia Chapter and all that make it happen. I hope this variant season finds you enjoying life, meeting people you thought you knew, and living life alive and may this be a time of Rest for you~

      Heartfelt Thanks, and Warmest Wishes,

      ~Thomas Hardy

      EXCERCISE ANSWERS:
      How do you FEEL as an insider when you are on a team? Confident, at ease, tempted with complacency, powerful and respected
      How do you FEEL as an outsider when you are on a team? Curious, a kind of excitement like I have a nice secret to share, under utilized, can feel slight or aliented
      How do you BEHAVE as an insider when you are on a team? Quick, humorously, instigate inquiry, thoughtful, caring
      How do you BEHAVE as an outsider when you are on a team? quietly, cautiously, carefully, circumspect, a little clumsy, maybe even awkward

      Thomas Hardy, PMP
      UPS Supply Chain Solutions
      2701 NW Vaughn ST, Suite 600
      Portland, OR 97210
      Phone: 503.484.1707
      thomashardy@ups-scs.com

    3. Christine Martell Says:
      November 24th, 2007 at 11:01 am

      Thanks Thomas, and I am grateful for your contributions to the diversity and inclusion work also. Each one of us has insights and blind spots, so it takes all of us to have a hope of collectively seeing enough to inspire deep change. It is shifting!

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