How to Lead Inclusive Meetings
Event Details
How to Lead Inclusive Meetings
How do you run meetings in a way that fosters a sense of belonging and psychological safety? As a participant, how can you ensure an inclusive environment in the meetings you attend? In this workshop, participants will dive into the principles of inclusive meeting facilitation, learning strategies to create environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute. By exploring tools and tactics for fostering openness, leaders will discover how to ensure that a diverse array of voices is heard, respected, and meaningfully integrated into meeting outcomes. Through interactive discussions and breakout sessions, participants will practice these skills in real-time, exploring how to navigate common meeting challenges such as balancing dominant voices and addressing unconscious biases. Leaders will leave with practical steps and techniques to use immediately, transforming their meetings into spaces that inspire collaboration, trust, and innovation. With a strong focus on actionable takeaways, this workshop empowers leaders to anticipate the positive impact inclusive meetings can have on team dynamics and organizational success.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize and Mitigate Bias in Meetings: Learn to identify common biases that can affect meeting dynamics and strategies for minimizing them to create an open and equitable environment.
- Create Psychological Safety for All Participants: Develop techniques to encourage sharing and participation from all voices, fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable contributing.
- Implement Inclusive Meeting Structures: Understand methods to structure meetings that promote balanced participation and prevent any one voice from dominating the conversation.
- Effective Facilitation Skills: Practice facilitation techniques that support respectful dialogue, active listening, and collaborative decision-making.
Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.
Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.
About Our Facilitator
Lillian Forsyth is an accomplished coach and workshop facilitator specializing in communication, leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in Operations and Human Resources across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Lillian brings a unique perspective shaped by her extensive experience living and working internationally. As a straight white woman, she has dedicated over 20 years to examining her own privileges and biases, critically engaging with the complex role that white women have historically played in justice and equity movements. Lillian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lead with Equity, where she partners with organizations to foster inclusive cultures. Her work has impacted audiences at prominent corporate entities like Google, Santander US Bank, and RWJBarnabas Health. She has also presented at respected academic institutions, including the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Barnard College. As a guest on podcasts such as Embrace the Pivot and Agency for Change, and a speaker at conferences like the American Society of Project Management Professionals, Lillian shares insights to support meaningful change in leadership and DEI practices.
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