Training Industry Magazine - January/February 2021 - 15

DR. KRISTAL WALKER, CPTM

DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION

LEVERAGING DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION IN VIRTUAL TRAINING

Ready or not, we've made the shift to a
predominantly virtual workplace. While
many companies were torn between the
digital divide, the COVID-19 pandemic
forced these organizations to oblige the
inevitable transition. As such, learning
and development (L&D) professionals
are required to reevaluate how we
deliver training solutions for diverse
virtual audiences.
Virtual learning and communication add
complexity to an already complicated
topic like diversity. Classic variables -
such as race, religion, age, gender and
sexuality - are just a few considerations
to account for when creating training
programs. L&D practitioners must design
content that supports preferred learning
styles, overcomes linguistic barriers,
neutralizes political perspectives and
simplifies technical competencies for
audiences ranging from baby boomers to
Gen Zers. In all cases, it is imperative that
we foster an inclusive virtual environment.
SIMPLE GESTURES TO LEVERAGE
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN
VIRTUAL TRAINING
Here are three considerations to
leverage diversity and inclusion (D&I)
in virtual training:
1. Create Culturally Sensitive Content
Although best practices may suggest
we " know our audience, " we are not
always privy to knowing their personal
lives. At best, we have access to their
title, department, career level and -
sometimes - their gender. Therefore, we

must be careful to review content for any
language, images or activities that could
be interpreted as offensive or exclusive.
To gain further knowledge of your
audience, create prework that allows
learners to share personal experiences.
For example, if you are training leaders
on how to provide feedback, you
might include a prework assignment
that requires participants to describe a
time when they had critical information
to share with their boss but was
disregarded. Their qualitative responses
may provide greater insights on their
character, personality and learning style.

IT IS IMPERATIVE
THAT WE FOSTER AN
INCLUSIVE VIRTUAL
ENVIRONMENT.
2. Break the Ice
Even in virtual training, ice breakers
set the tone for learning experiences.
Ice breaking activities should align
with prework assignments, virtual
classroom activities and post-training
reinforcement. They should also speak
to learning outcomes while giving
learners a sneak peak of what to expect
from the program.
Use ice breakers that enable learners
to develop working relationships from
the beginning. The learning experience
should be designed so these relationships
extend beyond the training event. The
ultimate goal is to encourage vulnerability,

so learners can share their experiences
with others to explore diversity and
embrace inclusivity.
3. Even the Playing Field for
Learner Engagement
Along the road to increasing diversity
and inclusion is the discovery of shared,
personal challenges that people
experience. For example, terms like
" bropropriating " - taking a woman's idea
and claiming credit for it - have gained
popularity as women have become
more vocal about their experiences with
biases. L&D professionals responsible
for facilitating courses or designing trainthe-trainer content should include best
practices for ensuring participants have
equal opportunities to contribute to the
discussion. Inserting housekeeping rules
of engagement at the beginning of a
virtual event helps establish expectations
for equity and inclusion.
Both virtual training and D&I will remain
top of mind for most organizations for a
while. Our job is to leverage them both
to create harmonious and productive
work environments where people can
deliver their best.
Dr. Kristal Walker, CPTM, has over 15
years of experience helping clients
engage people, apply processes and
implement technologies to improve
performance. She recently assumed
her role as the vice president of
employee wellbeing at Sweetwater.
Kristal is also a facilitator for Training
Industry's Diversity and Inclusion Master
Class. Email Kristal.

T R A I N I N G I N DUSTR Y MAGAZ INE - VIRTUAL LEARNING I W WW. T RAI NINGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE

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Training Industry Magazine - January/February 2021

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