Introverts and Extroverts. Generations. 
Differences in ethnicity, language and accent, spirituality, size and physical ability. Sexual orientation and gender identity. education and economics.
We as HR professionals and leaders seem to be encountering more differences – of all types -- every day!
This participatory session begins with self-awareness – then we’ll explore how our encounters are changing and what we can do to ensure better encounters across differences. We’ll focus on practical skills and approaches to understanding and communication and amplify our bridge building techniques.
Objectives:
1. Self-awareness: We will identify one or more key points of uniqueness or differentiation that we are conscious of when interacting with others.
2. Societal changes: We will very briefly highlight major demographic changes taking place around us and how they are affecting our jobs and our daily encounters in HR
3. Skill-building. We will focus on key skill areas that aid in communicating and building bonds with clients across a broad range of differences. We’ll also talk about the role of similarities in our bond-building.
4. Trial and Success:). We will explore some rapid means to try out our bond-building and connection approaches with one another.
Sue Plaster is a diversity and leadership consultant with more than 30 years of experience in these disciplines. She works with individuals and organizations to address issues and opportunities related to diversity and equity. She also advises organizations on leadership, organization development and succession. Her work ranges from assessment and intervention in workplace diversity issues to customer diversity. She also works with individual clients on career development, mobility, and transition.
Sue’s recent speaking engagements have included the Minnesota Social Services Association Expo and Training Conference, the St. Louis County Human Services Conference, the Twin Cities HR Association, the Rural Health Association Conference, the Minnesota Career Development Association Conference, the Twin Cities Multicultural Forum for Workplace Diversity, the Burnsville HR Roundtable, the Women Leaders in Manufacturing Roundtable Consortium, and the HRP-MN Monthly Luncheon in November, 2013.
The session is approved for 1 hour General Credit through HRCI (SPHR, PHR) and 1 credit hour for SHRM-SCP, and CP.
