How to Have Inclusive Conversations at Work

Name: How to Have Inclusive Conversations at Work
Rating: 4.6 (192 reviews)

Building a More Welcoming Workplace

Role Play

Created byDeborah Grayson Riegel, Sally Starrfield

Last updated 5/2025

English

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What you'll learn

Recognize and model what makes workplace conversations inclusive
Develop and practice active listening skills that create space for different perspectives, including techniques to overcome common barriers to deep listening
Apply strategies for addressing sensitive topics related to identity (such as race, religion, gender, etc.)
Balance respect for diverse viewpoints with organizational values
Identify cultural differences in communication and conflict resolution styles, and adapt your approach to bridge these differences effectively
Create a personalized action plan with specific, measurable goals to improve your inclusive communication skills and respond constructively when mistakes happen

Course content

5 sections • 18 lectures • 1h 23m total length

Welcome to this course4:16
Foster inclusive conversations at work by listening more deeply and valuing diverse perspectives. Create safe spaces where everyone contributes their best thinking and feels valued.
What Are Inclusive Conversations?4:26
Get to Know Your Instructors1:16
Meet Deborah Grayson Riegel, an executive coach, and Sally Starfield, a human resources and educational consultant, who help leaders communicate effectively and build inclusive, thriving workplaces.
The Role of Inclusive Conversations3:36
Explore how inclusive conversations unlock innovation, faster problem solving, and engagement by inviting diverse perspectives. Notice who hasn't spoken up, challenge assumptions, and address bias in everyday meetings.
Quiz: Inclusive Conversations at Work

Understanding Cultural Competence9:27
Apply cultural competence to navigate workplace differences with respect and authenticity. Learn practical strategies for inclusive conversations, active listening, and inclusive language to foster progress.
Key Principle #1 for Inclusive Communication: Active Listening3:44
Practice active listening by being fully present, reflecting back what you hear, avoiding premature problem-solving, and using eye contact and verbal encouragers to deepen understanding.
Active Listening Role Play3:51
Practice active listening to foster inclusive conversations at work by moving from distracted listening to full attention, asking open questions, reflecting, and validating perspectives while avoiding interruptions and judgments.
Your turn! Active listening role play
Key Principle #2 for Inclusive Communication: Asking Inclusive Questions4:39
Practicing Inclusive Questions
Key Principle #3 for Inclusive Communication: Avoiding assumptions & stereotypes4:08
Learn to replace quick assumptions with genuine curiosity by examining evidence, addressing stereotypes, and approaching each colleague as a complex individual to foster true inclusion.
Activity: Challenging Assumptions4:46
Practice real-world techniques to challenge assumptions in inclusive conversations at work, including the pause and question method, perspective flip, curiosity approach, and the evidence check, with practical scenarios.
Practicing Challenging Assumptions
Challenging People’s Assumptions about Me4:39
Learn to challenge workplace assumptions with the care method: see, connect, assume good intent, and reframe discussions to address bias, focus on impact, and foster inclusive conversations.
Challenging Assumptions in the Workplace
Psychological Safety in the Workplace4:16
Foster psychological safety in the workplace by encouraging speaking up and modeling vulnerability. Use the plus-one practice, acknowledge input, and follow up with action to strengthen inclusion.
Recognizing and addressing microaggressions5:20
Learn to recognize microaggressions in the workplace, understand intention vs impact, and apply the arc approach with I statements, witness intervention, and respectful responses to foster belonging.

Preparing for Sensitive Conversations5:42
Prepare for sensitive conversations at work by clarifying purpose, considering perspective, and outlining a plan; set the tone in a private space with thoughtful timing and open, curious dialogue.
Addressing Difficult Topics (Race, Religion, Gender, etc.)6:22
Explore practical, compassionate strategies to address race, religion, gender, and identity at work, including setting rules, acknowledging sensitivity, listening actively, and balancing diverse perspectives to build inclusive workplaces.
Practice addressing difficult topics
Responding to Mistakes and Missteps3:26
Learn to respond to mistakes at work with inclusive, meaningful apologies that acknowledge specifics, take responsibility, express regret, and commit to concrete behavioral changes, guided by feedback to grow.
Workplace Mistakes: How Would You Respond?

Requirements

None

Description

Create a Culture of Belonging Through Meaningful Dialogue

Have you ever been in a meeting where certain voices dominate the conversation while others go unheard? Have you felt like you couldn’t fully be yourself at work, or witnessed colleagues holding back their thoughts?

If so, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.

Welcome to "How to Have Inclusive Conversations at Work", a transformative course designed to help you cultivate a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected.

In today's diverse and dynamic work environments, the ability to engage in inclusive, thoughtful conversations is more than just a soft skill—it’s a business imperative. Research shows that organizations with inclusive cultures are six times more likely to be innovative and twice as likely to meet or exceed their financial goals. Inclusive conversations fuel creativity, boost engagement, and improve retention.

But here’s the challenge: most people don’t realize how everyday interactions—our words, tone, and assumptions—can unintentionally exclude others.

This course will help you recognize those moments and equip you with the skills to make workplace conversations more open, respectful, and productive. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, team member, or ally, this course will empower you to create spaces where different perspectives aren’t just tolerated but embraced as strengths.

What You’ll Learn in This Course

By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear, practical framework for fostering inclusive conversations at work. You will:

Understand what makes a conversation inclusive—and why it’s essential for business success.
Identify and challenge unconscious biases that impact how we interact with colleagues.
Develop active listening skills to ensure every voice in the room is truly heard.
Ask better, more inclusive questions that invite diverse perspectives and deeper discussions.
Avoid common assumptions and stereotypes that create barriers in workplace communication.
Recognize and address microaggressions—even when they’re unintentional.
Navigate sensitive conversations with confidence, including discussions about race, gender, culture, and identity.
Foster psychological safety, so colleagues feel comfortable speaking up, sharing ideas, and taking risks.
Respond to mistakes and missteps with grace, learning how to apologize and grow from feedback.

Each lesson is packed with real-world examples, expert strategies, and actionable techniques to help you immediately apply what you learn in your workplace.

This course includes:
Engaging Video Lessons
Practical Exercises & Reflection Activities
Quizzes & Knowledge Checks
Real-World Strategies & Techniques

Creating a truly inclusive workplace isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning, listening, and being willing to grow.

We all have unconscious biases that shape how we interact with others. We’ve all witnessed moments where someone was excluded—or perhaps we’ve been that person.

Inclusive conversations aren’t about being perfect—they’re about progress.

When people feel safe to speak up, they bring better ideas to the table. They challenge the status quo and spark innovation. They stay engaged, motivated, and committed to their organization’s success.

And most importantly? They feel like they belong.

That’s what this course is all about.

Who this course is for:

Team Leaders and Managers – Those responsible for fostering a culture of inclusion and psychological safety within their teams.
HR Professionals and DEI Practitioners – Individuals focused on shaping workplace policies, training, and organizational culture.
Employees at any level who recognize gaps in inclusivity and want to actively contribute to a more welcoming and equitable workplace.
Employees who engage with clients, customers, or external stakeholders and want to develop more inclusive language
New or Emerging Leaders – Professionals transitioning into leadership roles who need guidance on how to create inclusive environments, lead by example, and navigate sensitive conversations with confidence.
Remote and Hybrid Team Members – Employees working in distributed teams who need to ensure that virtual and asynchronous communication remains inclusive and effective for diverse colleagues.

How to Have Inclusive Conversations at Work

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction4 lectures • 14min

Building a Foundation for Inclusive Conversations12 lectures • 45min

Strategies for Discussing Sensitive Topics4 lectures • 16min

Conflict Resolution through an Inclusive Lens1 lecture • 5min

Action Plan and Next Steps1 lecture • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: