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Chapter Updates :: Virtual August 2020 Event, Central Florida Chapter

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Central Florida Chapter, August Event

 

At this month’s virtual chapter meeting, NCSA Central Florida members engaged in a discussion about Diversity in the workplace. Federica Di Sansebastiano, a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Practitioner, was our guest presenter and facilitator. She shared with us her experience and expertise both from her native Italy, while working as a Diversity Manager at IBM, as well as in her current role as Advisor to the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association from her new home (since 2016) in South Florida. Her message—Tap into the diversity of your workforce to gain competitive advantage through increased creativity/ideation, problem-solving efficiency, workforce retention and the list goes on. But how? Here are just a few tips for leaders:

  • Acknowledge unconscious bias and engage in discussions (particularly if “difficult”) that allow you to expand your understanding and break free from stereotypes.
  • Work purposefully and collaboratively to establish a culture of inclusivity; not just superficially, but as though it were a living breathing entity that requires constant fostering.
  • Be aware of those who are most vulnerable and try to anticipate rather than react to or even neglect their needs to encourage a sense of belonging.

Federica then posed a series of questions about inclusive leadership, belonging and vulnerability during a pandemic which opened up the discussion.

Grazie mille, Federica! Molto piacere! (Many thanks, Federica! Nice to meet you!)