Encouraging Diverse Communication

Matt Abrahams teaches strategic communication at Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Sarah Sewell specializes in organizational theory and political sociology.

The small wins approach is utilized for enhancing DEI programs at GSB.

Diverse equitable communication has no impact on organizational insights.

Sarah Sewell is a thought leader primarily recognized for her work in financial forecasting.

The approach to organizational cultural change mentioned is solely based on personal experience.

Women leaders in business case studies are often described as nurturing, while male leaders are described in more performance-driven terms.

The project discussed aims to promote stereotypes about leadership across different genders and ethnicities.

There are significantly fewer case studies focusing on women and underrepresented minority leaders compared to their male counterparts.

The case writing project does not involve any updates to case study language after identifying biases.

Diverse and Equitable Communication

Effective communication is vital across various settings, such as classrooms and boardrooms.
Hearing from diverse perspectives enriches ideas and insights and enhances discussions.

Small Wins Approach to DEI

The "small wins approach" empowers organizations to pilot innovative diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Organizations should test and measure the impact of these initiatives both internally and externally.
Successful programs should be narrated and shared across organizations to promote diffusion and best practices.

Assessing DEI Programs

Continuous assessment and reassessment of DEI initiatives are crucial to measuring outcomes effectively.
New and creative methods for measuring outcomes of DEI efforts are needed.

Case Writing Project Insights

A significant lack of case studies on women and underrepresented minorities in business school curricula has been identified.
Stereotypical descriptions of female leaders often depict them as nurturing, while male leaders receive praise for their vision and agency.
This discrepancy in language raises concerns regarding the signals sent to students about leadership qualities based on gender and race.

Language and Bias in Communication

Language used in case studies can perpetuate stereotypes and biases about leadership.
The initiative aimed to analyze and improve the representation of protagonists in business cases by identifying and addressing stereotypical language.
Faculty members were informed of identified biases to foster improvement in case writing and communication strategies.

In this discussion, we explore the importance of diverse and equitable communication in various settings, including classrooms and boardrooms. Join Matt Abrahams as he shares insights on how to foster a supportive environment for sharing valuable ideas and perspectives. Discover strategies to enhance your communication skills and engage effectively with diverse audiences.