Vibrant Pittsburgh offers private, customized training to bring inclusive workplace culture concepts directly into your organization’s unique culture in practical and actionable ways. Private training can be in-person, hybrid, or fully virtual, meeting a variety of organizational needs. Connect with Allegra Elson, Sr. Director of Learning & Member Solutions, to discuss your training needs.
Building the Foundation
As workplaces bring people from diverse backgrounds together, creating welcoming places of opportunity for all is crucial. Establishing a shared understanding of fundamental workplace principles is essential, as our language can significantly influence how we perceive and connect with others. Whether you are new to this conversation or looking to refresh your understanding, this training will provide the foundational knowledge necessary to foster an inclusive environment in your organization.
In this training, participants will:
- discuss and review key concepts, including access, belonging, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- discuss dimensions of diversity and review key features of inclusive workplaces
- Review current data, trends, and benefits to discover what is needed to engage and re-engage employees effectively.
As the journey towards inclusive workplaces continues, empathy has been increasingly recognized as an essential tool in today’s workplace. Empathy and the ability to connect with people are crucial to our professional and personal lives. Research by Ernst & Young shows that an empathetic mindset creates trust between staff and managers. Ninety % of US workers report that empathic behaviors from managers lead to higher job satisfaction, and 79% agree that it decreases turnover. Empathy has a powerful impact on productivity, job satisfaction, and workplace motivation.
In this training, participants will:
- discuss the benefits of creating a psychologically safe work environment;
- learn the key ingredients to creating empathy in the workplace: commitment, trust, and skill; and
- understand their role in creating an inclusive workplace for
Our brains take in far more information than we can consciously process. To keep up, we rely on shortcuts – automatic judgments that help us move quickly but can also lead to unintended bias. Most of us want to be fair and aligned with our values, yet these unconscious habits can quietly shape our decisions, interactions, and workplace culture.
This session helps participants slow things down, notice what’s happening beneath the surface, and practice small, practical habits that reduce the impact of bias at work. By building awareness, we create space for fair decisions and a stronger sense of belonging across our teams.
In this training, participants will:
- Understand what implicit bias is and why it
- Explore how bias shows up in workplace decisions and
- Learn everyday practices to reduce bias and strengthen
Expanding Perspectives
Belonging isn’t just a buzzword, but a strategic imperative that transforms workplace dynamics. Engagement and performance flourish when people feel genuinely valued and supported, which in turn contributes to a more resilient organization. By prioritizing belonging, organizations not only improve their culture; they also create a strategic advantage that attracts and retains top talent, driving sustainable growth.
In this training, participants will:
- identify key factors that contribute to everyone’s feelings of belonging;
- examine practical tools to measure belonging’s impact;
- understand how fostering belonging enhances engagement, innovation, and overall
Inclusive leaders commit to ensuring all team members are treated equitably, feel a sense of belonging, and have the resources and support they need. Creating a sense of belonging for everyone is one of the most effective ways to enhance engagement and performance, while supporting institutional goals. An inclusive workplace culture is crucial to attracting and retaining a motivated and innovative workforce.
In this training, participants will:
- have a better understanding of the critical features of inclusive workplaces;
- learn about how to increase workplace fairness and respect; and
- understand the conditions that bring all team members closer to feelings of belonging, thus creating the conditions that build confidence and enable innovation.
What does it mean to be an ally? Is allyship enough? Those seeking to create more inclusive workplaces and mindsets often ask these questions. Being an ally means supporting members of social groups outside your own and helping them to succeed. Allies, advocates, and accomplices are essential to creating a workplace that feels safe, comfortable, and welcoming to everyone.
In this training, participants will:
- learn about allyship, advocates, and accomplices in the workplace;
- define and discuss the difference between being an ally, advocate, or accomplice
- review examples of how to listen, engage, and
For those seeking to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, “microaggressions” have become a point of focus. Microaggressions are subtle, sometimes well-intended, yet insensitive comments that are rooted in stereotypes and implicit biases. As a concept, microaggressions challenge us to take a hard look at how we treat others, determine if our intentions align with our impact, and do the work to change our behaviors.
Microaggressions also have a flip side: “microaffirmations” are small acts that occur wherever people wish to help others SUCCEED.
In this training, participants will:
- learn what microaggressions are;
- discuss how to recognize microaggressions and how to draw attention to them in a non-confrontational way to create access and reduce stereotypes; and
- review examples of microaffirmations and how to support a diverse workforce.
LGBTQIA+ communities are celebrated for helping to increase visibility, recognize different identities, and promote self-acceptance. These ideas are essential year-round, showing that diversity, fairness, and inclusion need ongoing support. How can we keep this spirit of pride and progress ongoing every day?
In this training, participants will:
- develop a better understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences through an intersectional lens;
- learn about respectful and inclusive language; and
- understand the role that you can play as an ally in supporting LGBTQIA+ people.
This training explores the significance of body inclusivity in the workplace and beyond. It will offer practical tools to help create environments where people of all body types feel valued and respected. This training examines ways to recognize and challenge body stereotypes and discover inclusive practices that support everyone. By deepening our understanding of body diversity, we can enrich our team dynamics and foster a greater sense of belonging for all.
In this training, participants will:
- identify common forms of body stereotypes and their impact on workplace culture;
- learn strategies to promote body inclusivity through language, policies, and practices; and
- commit to creating environments where all individuals feel valued and respected, regardless of body size, shape, ability, or appearance.
Practical Workplace Scenarios
How can we create the space necessary for meaningful conversations across various dimensions of diversity? In today’s multifaceted world, building skills for inclusive conversations in the workplace is crucial. To foster inclusive interactions, we will discuss the personal competencies that need to be developed, such as commitment, consistency, empathy, and trust. Building a culture of inclusion requires us to engage fully, as we acknowledge our biases and adjust our approaches accordingly.
In this training, participants will:
- discuss the conditions needed to have inclusive
- reflect upon and discuss barriers to individual actions and
- review ways to build and sustain psychologically safe spaces for these conversations.
This in-depth skill-building training session will explore advanced approaches for fostering inclusive discussions. It will deepen our understanding of the nuanced aspects of inclusive conversations, conversations that promote diversity of thought, encourage active participation, and create an environment where everyone’s voice is heard. This session will equip participants with valuable skills to develop more inclusive and engaging conversations.
In this training, participants will:
- Gain insights into building a safe space for open and honest
- Acquire skills in using inclusive language to create an inclusive
- Apply skills and techniques to navigate sensitive topics and leverage inclusive language effectively.
Inclusive leaders commit to ensuring all team members are treated equitably and have the necessary resources and support. One concrete place to start is with how we run our internal meetings. Inclusive meetings foster an environment where everyone can contribute. Building a culture of inclusive meetings requires us to understand the biases that diminish the effectiveness of our teams and adjust our approaches to meeting facilitation.
In this training, participants will:
- learn how to foster a culture of inclusive meetings;
- understand the basics of running an inclusive meeting; and
- review and practice these concepts in real time.
Communicating successfully in the workplace requires practice and skill, and communicating successfully with people from diverse cultures is a continual process. This training will discuss overcoming obstacles that may impede respectful, meaningful conversations with people from multilingual backgrounds and recognize differences in communication styles.
In this training, participants will:
- understand the importance of paying attention to cultural differences in the workplace;
- discuss inclusive work environments and how culture can affect communication styles;
- review aspects of language learning and fluency; and
- learn tips for communicating more clearly and concisely.
Language shapes how we connect with others and fosters (or limits) inclusivity in the workplace. Missteps in language can unintentionally reinforce exclusion, while thoughtful word choices foster a sense of belonging and psychological safety. This training explores strategies for overcoming obstacles that may hinder respectful and meaningful conversations, recognizing differences in communication styles, and applying precise and inclusive language principles. Participants will gain tools to navigate these conversations with respect and confidence.
In this training, participants will:
- examine and update the language used in the workplace;
- discuss inclusive work environments and how culture can affect communication styles and
- learn tips for communicating more clearly, concisely, and inclusively.
Disability inclusion is about more than just physical accessibility; it is about creating an environment where individuals with disabilities, whether observable or invisible, feel valued, understood, and supported. To do this, we must recognize the unique challenges they face and the unique skills they bring to the workplace. By identifying the broad spectrum of disabilities, implementing supportive policies and practices, leveraging technology, and promoting participation and leadership, organizations can move towards true inclusivity. In this two-part series, we will go beyond mere accessibility measures to explore how organizations can foster a culture of genuine inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
In this training, participants will:
- understand the difference between accessibility and disability
- explore the benefits of promoting a culture of disability inclusion in the
- gain practical insights into creating environments where individuals of all abilities feel valued and respected.
Too often, employees with disabilities are overlooked for leadership opportunities, not because of a lack of talent, but because of limited perspectives on what leadership looks like. Talent-development research indicates that employees with disabilities are equally likely to possess leadership competencies; however, they are less likely to be recognized without intentional, inclusive practices.
In this training, participants will:
- identify and nurture leadership potential in all;
- challenge assumptions that limit and;
- build inclusive cultures where everyone can lead with purpose
The current workforce includes up to five generations, each bringing distinct perspectives, skills, and values to the workplace. This diversity in age groups presents challenges and opportunities for organizations to manage different work styles, values, and expectations. This session will explore the benefits and strategies of promoting collaboration between different generations within the workplace. Effective generational diversity management can bring significant benefits, including knowledge transfer, mentoring, innovation, and reduced turnover.
By harnessing each generation’s unique strengths and perspectives, organizations can create a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment.
In this training, participants will:
- learn to identify and appreciate the unique skills and perspectives each generation brings to the workplace;
- discover effective communication techniques and collaborative practices to bridge generational gaps and foster teamwork;
- explore methods to support the growth and well-being of all, ensuring opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement across generations.
Not seeing the training you are looking for? Connect with Allegra Elson to discuss your training needs.