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Announcing the 2024 Leadership Symposium

We’re excited to announce our 2024 Leadership Symposium curriculum – which includes three virtual seminars for individuals at Champion and Leader-level member organizations looking to expand their personal leadership style and business acumen.

We encourage Champion & Leader members to register even if you are unable to attend live as we will send the link to the recording directly to your inbox.

CHAMPION & LEADER MEMBERS - REGISTER FOR ALL 3 PROGRAMS HERE


Session 1: ERG/Affinity Group Leader Training feat. Manar Morales

July 11 | 1:00 pm ET

As a leader, you understand the need for structure, resources, and training to make sure your employee resource group (ERG)/affinity group succeeds. Join Alliance President & CEO, Manar Morales, to learn how to: structure ERGs/affinity groups and delegate responsibilities; best run and manage meetings; share lessons learned with other ERGs/affinity groups; impact leadership and decision-making; and, continuously monitor results.

This training is designed for anyone who leads or participates in an employee resource group or affinity group, or anyone who would like to start an ERG/affinity group at your organization.

CHAMPION & LEADER MEMBERS - REGISTER HERE


Session 2: Give to Grow: Invest in Relationships to Build Your Business & Your Career feat. Mo Bunnell

September 11 | 1:30 pm ET

Everyone knows developing relationships and business is a top priority, but what people aren’t taught is that you can do it in a way that feels great, where everyone wins at every turn.

In this dynamic session, Mo Bunnell, author of the book Give to Grow, will show you how to invest in relationships how to win the work you want at the clients you want—so you can make the impact you want.

*Please note that while most of our programs begin at 1:00 pm ET, this session starts at 1:30.

CHAMPION & LEADER MEMBERS - REGISTER HERE


Session 3: Diffusing Power Dynamics feat. Rudhir Krishtel

November 13 | 1:00 pm ET

Every relationship has power dynamics, often existing across race or gender-based differences. Is the power you exert dominating or empowering others? Hierarchical environments driven by dominant power dynamics are commonly not inclusive. Especially in dynamics where people feel unheard or uncomfortable sharing their experiences. In this workshop, participants will be guided to understand power dynamics, encouraged to explore how to diffuse them, and ultimately create workplace environments that can evolve past the unhelpful complexities that power dynamics create.

CHAMPION & LEADER MEMBERS - REGISTER HERE

The Leadership Symposium is open to Champion and Leader-level members. If you are an Advocate member that would like to learn more, please contact Angela Whitehead Quigley.

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Registration now open for the 2024 Annual Conference

We’re thrilled to announce our 2024 Annual Conference: Harnessing the Power of Your Organizational Culture to be held at the Washington, DC offices of Akin, (2001 K Street, NW) on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Each year our conference brings together trailblazers and thought leaders to share cutting-edge strategies for optimizing recruitment, retention, and engagement through DEI, flexibility, and well-being.

This year’s conference will focus on how to drive success with a strong organizational culture that prioritizes diversity, flexibility, and well-being. Stay tuned for more details on inspirational speakers, innovative content, and this unique opportunity to connect with other leaders focused on humanizing the workplace!

Alliance members receive two complimentary tickets to the Annual Conference. Members – please reserve your complimentary tickets no later than September 6th to ensure availability.

Early bird registration is now open through July 31. Reserve your spot today!

REGISTER FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 

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Action Step – Organizational Solutions to Foster Well-Being

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

Since the pandemic, organizations have increased their acceptance of workplace flexibility significantly. Greater workplace flexibility has many business benefits, including improved well-being. However, organizations need to invest in a number of additional solutions to truly enhance well-being. As with workplace flexibility, employee well-being has numerous far-reaching organizational benefits, including better productivity and engagement. Our recommendations regarding critical
organizational solutions to truly move the needle on employee well-being are as follows:

  1. Enhance Autonomy & Control. Give employees more control over their schedules and projects to increase their autonomy, which is associated with higher levels of well-being.
    • Increase control over work schedules: If possible, create workplace flexibility policies that allow employees some control over their schedules. Offer as many flexible work options as possible so employees can utilize what works best for them…..

Members: continue reading this Action Step in the Member Resource Center

To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more contact Manar Morales.

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Announcing the 2024 Sabbatical & Well-being Poll

Please Complete Our QUICK Sabbatical & Well-being Poll

Our 2024 Sabbatical & Well-being Poll is now open for members and non-members – regardless of industry.

The poll should not take more than 15 minutes!

Members and poll participants will be invited to attend a symposium to discuss best practices around sabbaticals and well-being based on our poll results, research, industry trends, and literature reviews. The poll responses will be analyzed and aggregated, and responses will be kept confidential.

The poll has now closed. Please contact Sejal Shah if you have questions.

The 8 Types of Customized Member Sessions

Members of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance gain access to valuable opportunities to collaborate directly with Manar Morales and the Alliance team. See below for the different types of personalized member sessions we offer, during which you can gain expert advice and customized recommendations tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

1. New Member Orientation Call

This Zoom call with Angela Whitehead Quigley provides new member teams with a review of Alliance benefits in detail and an opportunity to discuss how to maximize them for your needs. We recommend that new members schedule this call right away. Members: Contact Angela Whitehead Quigley to schedule your New Member Orientation Call.

2. Annual Benefits & Goals Alignment Review Call

For renewing members, this Zoom call with Angela Whitehead Quigley provides you with a quick reminder of your valuable Alliance member benefits along with advice on how to maximize your benefits to meet your organization’s unique needs in the coming year. We recommend that you schedule this call when you renew your annual membership or whenever a new main contact joins your team. Members: Contact Angela Whitehead Quigley to schedule your Annual Benefits & Goals Alignment Review Call.

3. Strategy Design & Development Session

All Alliance members have access to one Strategy Design & Development Session each year. During these sessions, you may choose to discuss any of your organizational priorities related to diversity and inclusion, flexibility, caregivers, wellbeing or talent development objectives. During these one-hour virtual sessions Manar Morales and the Alliance team will share data-driven best practices and advice customized to your organization’s unique needs. Members should provide us with the topics most relevant to their organization’s current needs and anyone who is involved in leading or implementing these initiatives should participate in the meeting (usually no more than 3-4 people). Members: Contact Emma Simpkins to schedule your Strategy Session.

4. Follow-Up Strategy Implementation Planning Call

This one-hour Zoom call, available to Leader and Champion members, provides an opportunity for members to delve deeper into the topics discussed during the Strategy Session. The emphasis is on practical steps and action plans to put the recommendations into practice. Members: Contact Emma Simpkins to schedule your Implementation Call.

5. Annual Comprehensive Policy Review

All Alliance members have access to one Policy Review each year. After the Alliance conducts the policy review, the member is invited to schedule a Q&A Zoom call to discuss any questions that arise after reviewing the Alliance’s recommendations. This call provides you with advice on one draft policy, guideline, program/committee framework, or strategic plan in an area related to talent, DEIB, workplace flexibility, caregiver support or wellbeing. Members: Contact Sejal Shah for more information about policy reviews.

6. Advisory Solutions Hours

Our Advisory Solutions hours are provided to Leader (two hours) and Champion (four hours) members. These Zoom calls can be scheduled with any organizational leaders and member contacts to discuss the development and implementation of a relevant challenge or issue your organization is facing. Members often choose to discuss stakeholder strategies, action steps and best practices around hybrid work, DE&I, leave policies, and flexible work. Members: Contact Emma Simpkins to schedule your Advisory Solutions Hours.

7. Customized Flex Assessment

Champion Members have access to one Custom Flex Assessment per membership cycle. A Custom Flex Assessment includes a series of surveys with the member, and results in a customized, written assessment of the member’s flexibility and leave policies, programs, and practices, along with specific recommendations on areas to address and prioritize. After reviewing the customized, written assessment, members can schedule a Zoom call with the Alliance to go over any questions and next steps. Members: Contact Sejal Shah for more information about custom flex assessments.

8. Virtual Member Coffee

These complimentary 30-minute Zoom calls provide all members with an informal check-in opportunity to discuss how things are going and general challenges you’re facing. Members: Contact Angela Whitehead Quigley to schedule your Virtual Member Coffee.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

 

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Diversity & Talent Leader Innovation Circle – June 27, 2024

Members – please join us an upcoming Innovation Circle for Diversity & Talent Leaders:

June 27, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST

We invite individuals at member organizations who hold the following roles (or the equivalent thereof in your organization) to register:

  • Chief Diversity Officer or DE&I Director
  • Chief People Officer or Director
  • Chief Talent Officer or Talent Director
  • Chief HR Officer or HR Director
MEMBERS - REGISTER HERE
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Research Briefing: Highlights from Deloitte’s 2024 Women@Work Report – May 16, 2024

Special Member Event!

Research Briefing: Highlights from Deloitte’s 2024 Women@Work Report featuring Emma Codd, Deloitte’s Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

May 16 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm ET

Since 2021, Deloitte’s Women @ Work: A Global Outlook Report has provided insight into women’s experiences in the workplace. Join us as Emma Codd, Deloitte’s Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, talks through some of the key findings and recommendations from the 2024 report.

This event is open to all individuals at member organizations.

MEMBERS - REGISTER HERE
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Action Step – Feedback: Key to Performance, Engagement & Inclusion

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

Delivering effective feedback is critical to developing and enhancing employee performance and engagement. Most organizations and leaders know and understand the importance of feedback. The vast majority of organizations have an annual performance evaluation process, where employees receive feedback on their areas of strength and development over the year. While annual performance evaluations are necessary, feedback needs to be given much more regularly – even daily. According to research, employees who receive daily feedback are 3x more likely to be engaged than those who receive feedback once a year or less.

However, unconscious bias can negatively impact our ability to provide fair, objective feedback. Common bias patterns that impact feedback may include:

  • Confirmation bias – looking for information to confirm pre-existing opinions about someone’s abilities;
  • Recency Bias – overemphasizing someone’s most recent mistake and ignoring their overall track record……

Members: continue reading this Action Step in the Member Resource Center

To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more contact Manar Morales.

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Action Step – Engaging Affinity Group Leaders

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

Many organizations are creating and revitalizing their affinity groups, also known as Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), to foster connections, build community, and provide career development opportunities.  Further, affinity group and ERG leaders can serve as advocates as they gain insights from their members about what’s working and what needs to be fixed.  To be successful, affinity groups/ERGs need engaged leaders.  Organizations can provide affinity group/ERG leaders with the right support and resources to foster engagement in the following ways:

  1. Clarify Purpose & Broader Goals:  To truly engage affinity group leaders, organizations should begin by sharing their broad business objectives and DE&I goals. Affinity group leaders need to understand what the organization is trying to achieve in the short- and long-term. Next, affinity groups need to come up with their strategic vision that amplifies the core mission of the affinity group. Through this collaborative and strategic approach, organizations can cultivate an environment that supports the growth and success of its affinity groups…

Members: continue reading this Action Step in the Member Resource Center

To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more contact Manar Morales.

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5 Reasons Your Hybrid Policy Isn’t Working & What Will Work Instead

This article written by Alliance President & CEO, Manar Morales was published by Chief Executive on February 9, 2024.

Hybrid work is here to stay. According to the 2024 CEO Survey from The Conference Board, only 4% of US CEOs will prioritize a full-time return to the office this year, while retaining talent will remain a critical area of focus. Employees highly value flexibility, so it makes sense that CEOs plan to give it to them in this historically tight labor market.

For almost two decades, I’ve advised organizations on flexible work and culture change.  When organizations effectively implement flexible work policies, I’ve seen that they boost metrics across the board—engagement, talent retention, innovation, productivity and profit. When they don’t implement effectively, they struggle, often citing flexible work policies as the problem.  The truth is that failures of flexible work usually stem from the following five pitfalls of ineffective implementation. The good news is, for every pitfall, there’s a fix.

Read the full article here.