Diversity, equity and inclusion are challenging to discuss at work, but that does not mean leaders can skip these conversations altogether. Instead, now is the time to embrace discussions about racial equity and work toward lasting change.

Whether your business has begun implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives or you are looking to introduce new mandates and programs, it helps to know where to start. Hari Srinivasan, vice president of product management for LinkedIn Learning, has created a learning path on diversity, inclusion and belonging that leaders can access for free through August 31.

Keep reading this issue of Promotional Consultant Today for Srinivasan’s roundup of resources for confronting unconscious bias, initiating inclusive conversations and building diverse workplaces.

Learn How To Confront Unconscious Bias
We all view the world through different lenses. Based on factors such as our age, race and gender, we might approach things with an unconscious bias. Srinivasan recommends the three courses below to learn how to counter bias in your words and actions and stand up for your colleagues.

  1. Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences by Verna Myers and Arianna Huffington
  2. Unconscious Bias by Stacey Gordon
  3. Bystander Training: From Bystander to Upstander by Catherine Mattice Zundel

Learn How To Initiate Inclusive Conversations
It requires courage to speak on sensitive topics such as race inequality. While these conversations may be uncomfortable at first, they are necessary for holding productive and meaningful discussions on potentially difficult topics. For guidance, Srinivasan suggests leaders take the following free courses:

  1. Skills for Inclusive Conversations by Mary-Frances Winters
  2. Communicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues by Daisy Lovelace
  3. Communicating Across Cultures by Tatiana Kolovou

Learn How To Build Diverse Workplaces
Diverse teams are naturally more creative because they contain people with all different backgrounds and experiences. Leaders can take steps to be more inclusive by thinking about diversity from the beginning. For example, they can cast a wider net in their recruiting pipeline, offer more appealing workplace policies and rethink the language they use when posting jobs. If you want to take the first step at creating a more diverse team, consider caring out time to watch Srinivasan’s recommended courses:

  1. Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging by Pat Wadors
  2. Rolling out a DIBs Training Program in Your Company with Dereca Blackmon

Changing your culture won’t happen overnight. It takes time to build a more equitable workplace. When you commit to prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, you are doing more than making a powerful statement in these highly charged times – you are setting your company up for success by choosing to invest in your people.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Hari Srinivasan is the vice president of product management for LinkedIn Learning.