DAD - Reducing cross-cultural tensions in groups

*By request, this course has been extended to be a 2-day workshop so that participants have more practice and feedback time on the techniques shared.*

Guest faculty
Sherifa M.B.E. Fayez, Prof. Annette Gisevius 

Why participate
Whether in the workplace, classroom, community or elsewhere, establishing conditions for effective group dynamics is a key responsibility for many of us, yet we may neglect to consider this crucial aspect of our roles.

And, identity differences among would-be team members may seem to add challenges rather than benefits when we think about building a sense of shared collegiality and collaboration especially across cultures. 

Participants in this course will learn how to reduce cultural tensions and more explicitly establish success-enabling space(s) in which groups or teams can operate by acknowledging and intentionally designing for the diversity —whether apparent or “hidden”—  among them, and how to do so using disarming, creative and science-based “serious play” approaches.

Emphasis will be placed on how to dismantle miscommunications and/or tensions and conduct such group-forming when working within short timeframes.

You will learn how to use targeted, unconventional approaches and establish purposefully-designed settings that embrace the differences (national cultures, ages, faiths, backgrounds, professional roles, etc) found among team members as advantages rather than challenges. Doing so can help build teams with a greater shared sense of inclusion and, as a result, effective performance. 

Participant profile/requirements
This course is for you if are a trainer/multiplier/educator/consultant who 

• Supports clients that have increasing levels of (hidden) diversity yet that may not yet realize the benefits of these 
• Wishes to incorporate nontraditional (playful, creative, innovative) methods into your work with learners/clients
• Works with teams that may need to form or shift rapidly yet perform at high levels

You should already have at least a preliminary understanding of and experience with —either through your own work or participation in 'training for trainers' type programs— team-building, training and (adult) learning best practices. 

Contact us if you have questions about the suitability of this course for your circumstances.

Learning outcomes
In this course, you will learn how to help yourself—and those you work with—so that you/they can better:

• Understand key underlying principles that allow for more effective team-building for heterogeneous groups (national cultures, ages, faiths, professional roles, backgrounds…)
• Create a highly engaged, constructive team atmosphere and spirit as a base for trustful collaboration when working with groups with diverse members 
• Adapt team-building activities to embrace team-member differences/diversity as a means of fostering inclusion and belonging
• Experience very interactive, creative, and fun (as appropriate) learning techniques and approaches 

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Participation listing 12 contact learning hours. 

Participant reflections
Here's what past participants have to say about this course:

• “Practical applications of approach backed up by proven science.”
• “Both Annette and Sherifa are knowledgeable and fantastically skilled. But most importantly they are a great team. And that role modeling of a great team is an amazing extra takeaway from the course.”
• “Please schedule more sessions with them.”

For course additional details see the Institute for Developing Across Differences website.

Help yourself and those you work with:

• Understand key principles for more effective team-building for diverse groups
• Intentionally create inclusive team atmospheres
• Adapt team-building activities for diversity
• Prevent and/or address cross-cultural tensions  

€ 995
 

Available dates