To sustain a culture of inclusivity and respect beyond training sessions: 1. Lead by example: Demonstrate inclusive behavior. 2. Embed inclusivity in policies and procedures. 3. Foster open communication and feedback. 4. Celebrate diversity and inclusivity initiatives. 5. Provide ongoing training and resources. 6. Hold employees accountable for inclusive behavior. 7. Monitor and address microaggressions. 8. Encourage employee resource groups. 9. Incorporate inclusive language in all communications. 10. Continuously assess and improve. Make inclusivity a core value, not just a training program.

Sustaining a culture of inclusivity and respect is like tending a garden. It requires ongoing care, not just a one-time effort. Regular Check-Ins: Like watering plants, schedule regular conversations to gauge how everyone feels and to address any concerns. Encourage Feedback: Create a space where everyone can share their thoughts. Just as a gardener prunes to promote growth, feedback helps improve the culture. Celebrate Diversity: Recognize and celebrate different backgrounds and perspectives. This nourishes the garden, making it vibrant and diverse. Lead by Example: Leaders should model inclusive behavior, just as sunlight helps plants thrive. Keep nurturing these practices, and your culture will flourish!

Creating a culture that promotes diversity and inclusion makes the process easier, but you can also take the lead within your team. Just a heads up—change can be slow, and there may be times when it feels like you're navigating the DEI journey alone. However, your efforts will help your team feel valued and proud, fostering a true sense of belonging.

There's no short and neat 750-character answer for creating a culture of inclusivity and respect. There are a number of things worth embracing and enacting. 1. Open communication is key. Encourage employees to have regular communication amongst each other, even if it manifests in casual non-work related chats while working on a project. Not only will this provide a resource for solving problems that crop up, but it can create camaraderie. 2. Celebrate folks that do the right thing, work hard and help each other. Make it known positive behavior is more important than short-term $ chasing. 3. Create safe opportunities for all employees to share concerns. Within confines of law and practicality, act on those concerns. Protect your people.

You live it and add it into the day-to-day. Any intentional culture needs to be a rally cry for the organization. Bring it into the daily conversations, performance reviews, development plans, the employee life cycle, get SWAG with them on. Reward and recognize the right behaviour. Tell stories that demonstrate the values.... In short live it and make it the cheer of the organization.