Diversity Works

Diversity training is essential for building inclusive, respectful, and high-performing workplaces. However, traditional diversity training often falls short and can be dry and impersonal. In contrast, Diversity Works is an interactive exploration of diversity awareness that leverages learning science to create opportunities for conversations that matter and drive meaningful change.

Diversity Works is designed to get adult learners out of their seats and into station-based activities catered to distinct learning preferences, interaction types, and technology options. Part experiential, part social, and part emotional, the Diversity Works learning style model encourages learners to explore and absorb new ideas around inclusivity and diversity with confidence and empathy.

Diversity Works is a hands-on workshop that brings awareness of diversity and inclusion concepts to your workplace. Everything you need – a setup guide, Facilitator Guide, and activity and participant materials – comes in one convenient box. Activity stations are set up around the room for learners to decide which learning activities they want to participate in during the workshop.

The activities include different interaction types (individual, partner, or group), learning experiences (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, reflective, competitive, or problem solving), and technology types (low-tech or high-tech). When the first part of the activity concludes, learners participate in a final shared experience using a diversity and inclusion board game.

Regardless of their chosen activities, learners will achieve the same learning outcomes. Each of the activities falls under one of three learning objectives:

1. Understanding Self – Describe what makes you the unique individual you are.
2. Understanding Others – I recognize what makes others the unique individuals they are.
3. Communication – Consider differences and act respectfully in the workplace.

Diversity Works is ideal for organizations seeking a fresh, engaging approach to diversity and inclusion training. This hands-on workshop is perfect for team retreats, onboarding programs, or professional development days. No matter the path learners take, everyone reaches the same powerful outcomes: understanding themselves, appreciating others, and learning to communicate with greater empathy and respect.

Diversity Works Complete Kit

Order one kit for up to 25 participants. The complete kit includes almost everything you need to deliver the game and workshop, including:

• One setup guide to ensure all the moving parts are set correctly
• One facilitator's guide designed for ease of facilitation
• One USB with an instructional video and slides to help participants understand this unique methodology
• Color-coded content envelopes make it simple to set up and reuse materials
• Primer and pre-evaluation materials
• Workshop introduction materials
• Journey of Diversity game materials
• Debrief and post-evaluation materials
• Color-coded activity station materials with learner instructions

Note: Customers will need to supply a set of headphones and a recording device

Diversity Works Refill Kit

The refill kit contains everything you need to replenish the consumable items in the kit for an additional 25 participants, including:

• Primer and pre-evaluation materials
• Workshop introduction materials
• Debrief and post-evaluation materials
• Activity station materials

Jillian Douglas and Shannon McKenzie are the authors and co-founders of Idea Learning Group in Portland, Oregon, and have been on a mission to transform workplace learning by providing clients with creative, engaging, and custom learning experiences.

Jillian Douglas is the chief experience officer. With more than 20 years of experience in adult education, she has a passion for conceptualizing and delivering operational, managerial, and leadership-focused employee development programs. She also facilitates Diversity Works.

Shannon McKenzie is the chief operating officer, where she oversees business operations and leads a talented team of learning consultants. She is the author of Let Them Choose: Cafeteria Learning Style for Adults. Shannon has a passion for ensuring that each individual’s learning needs are met clearly, simply, and effectively, and helping people perform their work more efficiently, and businesses excel.