Diversity Innovation Upside Down Cultivating an Inclusive Culture

Diversity & Innovation Upside Down Cultivating an Inclusive Culture with Structured Ideation Dr. Esmilda Abreu & Kirsten Richert

Who We Are Dr. Esmilda Abreu AVP Student Affairs, Pratt Institute Social Innovator Kirsten Richert Faculty, Pratt Institute Change Catalyst

A Taste of Innovation

Agenda • • • Welcome & Introduction Explain Core Elements of Inclusive Culture Practice Ideation on Specific Scenario Reflect on Experience Invitation to Commit to Future Actions

Diversity has key advantages

Research shows

Step In Exercise

Diversity • Inherent • Acquired • Intersectionality

Dimensions of Diversity

Intersectionality

What is an inclusive culture? • “Inclusive” culture is one in which the diverse backgrounds of individuals are leveraged to drive value and business results by creating an environment in which employees feel involved, respected, valued, and connected.

Culture Competency • Process of learning that leads to an ability to effectively respond to challenges and opportunities posed by the presence of diversity in a defined social system • Cultural Humility

Core Elements of Inclusive Culture 1 Integrative leadership – Leadership is relational and interactive involving all people in organization 2 Cross-functional and level bonds – Relationships are strong beyond ranks & functions 3 Collaborative problem-solving – Dissenting and marginal voices interrupt assumptions – Multiple perspectives used to generate options 4 Participatory decision-making – Recognize differences while looking for common ground

Innovation practices can… • Foster the development of new relationships and establish trust, • Suspend barriers and assumptions, • Encourage active listening and respect for different perspectives, • Leverage diverse strengths, and • Create a sense of community.

Real-World Simulation: Multiple campuses, one community

6 Steps for Ideation 1. Get diverse thinkers in the room with you 2. Break fixedness 3. Deliberately “play” with the pieces to make new connections 4. Ask what could be the benefit of this, and notice what pops 5. Massage it to make it more do-able 6. Make a list of ideas and experiment

How can we create an integrated community across multiple campuses? Components • • • Campus 1, 2, 3 Students Faculty Staff Website Social events Classes Departments Academic events Celebrations Holidays • • • Registration Symbols Residence halls Buildings Walkways Calendar Buses Communications Relationships Social media Online resources

Practice Ideation

Reflection

Cultivating an inclusive culture Diversity & Inclusion require… Innovation practices foster… • Creation of an organization with diverse people in it • Building a team with diversity as a prime selection principle • Acknowledging assumptions and unconscious bias • Deliberately breaking fixedness to interrupt habits of mind • Different voices to be heard, respected, and valued • Effectively soliciting input from different thinkers • Leveraging multiple perspectives to • Ensuring collaboration on key improve organizational practices problem or project tied to organizational success

Commit to one action

Contact Us • Dr. Esmilda Abreu – eabreu 26@pratt. edu – esmilda@neurolinkinstitute. com • Kirsten Richert – krichert@pratt. edu – kirsten@richertinnovation. com

Diversity & Innovation Upside Down Cultivating an Inclusive Culture with Structured Ideation Dr. Esmilda Abreu & Kirsten Richert