0:07

As the seasons shift and we approach the

0:09

final months of the calendar , I'm transported

0:11

back to my roots in Alaska , where deciduous

0:13

trees aren't as plentiful as they are , where I'm recording

0:16

this somewhere in the mid-Atlantic region of the US

0:18

. So when we roll around to the

0:20

last few months of the year , I am all about soaking

0:22

in those stunning colors . It's nature's version

0:24

of an autumn painting just gorgeous

0:26

. This warm symphony of colors

0:29

, coupled with the crispness of the morning air

0:31

, triggers the little jingle bells that I have inside

0:33

that have lain dormant for months . As the ground

0:35

gets frosty , my holiday spirit wakes up , stretches

0:38

and starts getting into gear . Yeah

0:41

, I'm cheesy , I can't help it . Around

0:44

this time , our perpetual calendars seem chock-full

0:46

of cultural holidays and all of the accompanying

0:49

events . But what is this like at work

0:51

? In our modern workplaces , where

0:53

everyone's bringing their own backgrounds and traditions

0:55

, holidays are not just one-size-fits-all

0:57

, it's not just about the diversity . It's

1:00

about understanding that everyone's holiday experience

1:02

is super personal and is shaped by

1:04

their unique cultural perspectives . So

1:06

today we're going to dive into a pretty cool

1:08

topic when to repun , slightly

1:10

intended Anyhow we're going to talk

1:12

about acknowledging , respecting and celebrating

1:14

holidays or , hey , maybe choosing not to join

1:17

the party . It's about turning your workplace

1:19

into a spot where diverse traditions

1:21

aren't just on the radar . They are truly

1:23

highlighted , respected and celebrated

1:26

. Navigating the holidays isn't just about

1:28

lights and party hats . It's about embracing

1:30

the awesomeness that happens when every tradition

1:33

, every voice and every decision to join

1:35

in or just chill out is given mad respect , from

1:37

the vibrant Diwali celebrations to

1:39

the heartfelt Two-Soc gatherings , whatever

1:42

special days wrap up the year . We're all

1:44

in on this global holiday kaleidoscope

1:46

. We're going to gear up to explore how various

1:48

cultures navigate their distinctive holiday seasons

1:51

. The focus isn't about listing

1:53

every celebration today . We're going to talk about

1:55

something bigger Creating events at work that

1:57

resonate with everyone , regardless of how or

1:59

if they celebrate . So join me as

2:01

we uncover the magic in turning the holiday season

2:04

into a celebration of understanding and

2:06

one of unity that breaks down borders , whether

2:09

they're geographical or just on your

2:11

calendar . In

2:16

the diverse landscape of our workplace , everyone

2:18

sees the festive season in their own way . Embracing

2:22

this diversity doesn't just make things look good . It

2:24

transforms the workplace into an inclusive

2:26

, harmonious place to be . So

2:28

let's dive into it and unfold what makes

2:30

holiday celebrations click in the workplace

2:32

.

2:39

Welcome to the Culture Clinic with Dr . Shawna

2:41

Gann , business psychologist and workplace

2:43

culture strategist . She's on

2:45

a mission to transform organizations into

2:48

spaces where employees thrive . Are

2:50

you dedicated to fostering a workplace

2:52

climate where every voice matters and every

2:55

identity is celebrated ? It's time

2:57

to step into the Culture Clinic .

3:02

The good news Our workplaces are

3:04

really diversifying , people

3:06

are getting it , talent acquisition understands

3:09

what it is to broaden the recruiting pool

3:11

, and we're having practices that are more equitable

3:14

. Look , I'm

3:16

all about it , that's what I'm here for , right ? Here's

3:18

the thing , though when it comes to holidays , not

3:21

everyone is on the same bus . It's

3:23

cool , we get it , but what's the next step

3:25

? It's all about digging into what each celebration

3:27

means , or why some folks skip the celebration

3:30

train altogether . Unpacking these holiday vibes

3:32

isn't just about putting up with the differences . It's

3:34

about shouting out a big yes

3:36

to diversity . It's about creating a work

3:38

spot where everyone's background is not just

3:40

accepted but downright celebrated . So

3:43

we know that we need to take the next step . Well

3:45

, let's start that next step with talking

3:47

about actually organizing holiday events

3:49

. While the nitty gritty details are important

3:52

, let's shine a spotlight on what

3:54

it means to acknowledge and value

3:56

the different heritages , needs and wishes

3:58

and our people , so that they know they're

4:00

valued . Organizing holiday events

4:03

that accommodate a diverse group may initially

4:05

seem pretty challenging , but it presents a valuable

4:07

opportunity to foster inclusivity . Facilitating

4:10

open communication among employees is crucial

4:12

to crafting celebrations that resonate with

4:14

the diverse perspectives within the workplace

4:17

. A strategy to enhance inclusivity

4:19

is to rotate the responsibility for

4:21

event organization . By allowing different individuals

4:23

or teams to take charge , you not only guarantee

4:26

a variety of perspectives in the planning process , but

4:28

you also create a platform for team

4:30

members to showcase and share their culture or

4:32

their faith-based practices , even as a side

4:34

note . By rotating these responsibilities

4:36

, you also get the great benefit

4:39

of allowing people to shine and show their talents

4:41

, and even show off some of those leadership skills that

4:43

you might not have otherwise seen . Just a little

4:45

note there . This collaborative

4:47

approach not only enriches the festivities

4:49

with the mix of traditions , it also strengthens

4:52

team bonds . Embracing these inclusive

4:54

practices ensures that holiday events become

4:56

meaningful and enjoyable experiences for everyone

4:58

involved , and you might uncover something

5:00

you didn't know . Perhaps you would have taken

5:03

a different approach , but having somebody with these

5:05

different perspectives might say hey , did you consider

5:07

this , or could we possibly be

5:09

overlooking something here if we don't consider

5:12

these things ? Part

5:16

of the holiday season also includes wanting

5:18

to have a festive atmosphere full

5:21

of decorations . Now , I celebrate

5:23

Christmas and I love Christmas lights . I

5:25

love Christmas decorations , but we need

5:27

to consider that there are people who don't

5:29

celebrate or who might celebrate other

5:31

things . So that is where

5:33

having an inclusive workplace environment by approaching

5:36

holiday celebrations with mindfulness

5:38

and sensitivity really comes in

5:40

. Recognize and celebrate that there are

5:42

differences . There are so many other

5:44

celebrations happening at this time of the year

5:46

. Thoughtfully decorate the workplace to

5:48

reflect a broad spectrum of traditions , opting

5:50

for neutral and inclusive elements like

5:52

winter-themed decor , snowflake stars

5:55

or seasonal foliage or , if you're in the southern

5:57

hemisphere , summer decor . Anyhow

5:59

, having this neutrality can convey

6:01

the festive spirit without aligning with any particular

6:04

faith-based or cultural symbols . Use

6:06

a variety of colors and materials as well

6:08

, so that you have well-rounded representation

6:11

. Respect the choices of those who may

6:13

opt out of the specific celebrations due to

6:15

personal beliefs or just their

6:17

choice . Foster an atmosphere where everyone

6:19

feels comfortable , acknowledging the richness

6:21

of diversity within the team and please do

6:24

, as I mentioned before , encourage open communication

6:26

. Provide a platform for employees to express

6:28

their preferences and concerns about workplace decorations

6:31

or other event-planning details . Another

6:33

goal is to cultivate a workplace culture

6:36

that values and respects the unique perspectives

6:38

and traditions of every team member , not

6:40

just your own or what you perceive to be the majority

6:42

. So how can you find out how other people feel

6:44

? You can utilize surveys or

6:46

team discussions where individuals can comfortably

6:49

express their thoughts . This

6:51

valuable input guides the selection of decorations and

6:53

activities , but even as much as the venue

6:55

that you hold the event , in ensuring that

6:57

workplace celebrations align with the collective

7:00

preferences of the team . But if people

7:02

really do want to showcase their own

7:04

personal traditions and holiday

7:06

celebrations , you can create a designated

7:08

place for that . This approach allows

7:10

individuals to express their traditions without

7:12

imposing them on the entire workspace

7:14

, fostering a sense of autonomy and inclusivity

7:17

. It's important to establish clear communication

7:19

channels for employees to express their concerns

7:21

, though , or even their preferences regarding workplace

7:24

decorations or other festive details . Consider

7:26

implementing an anonymous suggestion box

7:29

or holding open forums or

7:31

regular team meetings where individuals feel a

7:33

sense of psychological safety and they feel

7:35

at ease sharing their thoughts . And

7:38

what about the food and drinks Cause ? What's a party

7:40

without food and beverages ? Well

7:42

, when it comes to holiday get-togethers , food

7:44

truly is a big deal . It's kind

7:47

of what brings us together , but , let's

7:49

not forget , not everyone's on

7:51

the same page when it comes to what's on the menu . Some

7:54

folks have dietary restrictions , or

7:56

perhaps they have cultural preferences that we need

7:58

to really be mindful of . And speaking

8:00

of being mindful , you should note , not

8:02

everyone is into alcohol , okay . So when

8:05

planning , it's smart to set up a way for people

8:07

to share what their dietary

8:09

needs are or their preferences , or

8:11

to be able to opt out of certain aspects

8:13

. It helps to make sure the food is something that everyone

8:16

can enjoy . Okay , so about the drinks

8:18

? Not everyone's into the booze scene

8:20

. Some might not drink for personal or cultural

8:23

reasons , or whatever the reasons . Maybe they

8:25

just don't want to . So it's a good move to think

8:27

twice about hosting events at places that are all

8:29

about the alcohol . Going for spots with a diverse

8:31

menu or community spaces , make sure that everyone

8:34

feels at home . You can set up a simple system

8:36

like an online form or

8:38

an email thread where people can drop their preferences

8:41

in . I used to use signup genius , and

8:43

Doodle is another option . By the way

8:45

, I'm not endorsing either of those . Those

8:47

are just things that I used to use . I'm sure there's

8:49

lots of platforms out there that you can use

8:51

like that . The point is that you want

8:53

to make sure that the menu that you plan

8:56

can cater to everyone and don't forget

8:58

, please include non-alcoholic

9:00

options for the people who want to have mucktails

9:03

or a soda or some other soft drink . It's

9:05

about creating a vibe where everyone can kick back and

9:07

enjoy the celebration , no matter what's in their

9:09

glass . Another

9:15

thing to consider when talking about holidays

9:17

at work is flexibility . Encouraging

9:20

flexibility and scheduling and time off during

9:22

the holiday season is a powerful strategy

9:24

to create an inclusive workplace . Implementing

9:27

flexible work hours or remote work

9:29

options demonstrates a commitment to accommodating

9:31

individual needs . However , it's

9:33

essential to extend this flexibility with

9:35

a keen awareness of the unique situations

9:37

of all employees . Acknowledging

9:40

and addressing the concerns of those who are

9:42

single or those who do not have children

9:44

is a crucial aspect of fostering inclusivity

9:46

. In many workplaces , individuals

9:48

might find themselves disproportionately burdened

9:50

with work during the holiday season . Assumptions

9:53

that they have no plans can lead to them being asked

9:55

to fill in for others who are taking time off inadvertently

9:58

, leaving them feeling undervalued . To

10:00

truly embrace inclusivity , it's

10:02

important to break away from stereotypical assumptions

10:04

about personal commitments during the holidays . To

10:06

be proactive , you can invite all employees

10:09

to share their preferences for scheduling and

10:11

time off without making assumptions based

10:13

on family status . This creates an environment

10:15

where everyone's needs and plans are considered , fostering

10:17

a sense of equality and respect among all

10:20

employees , regardless of their family composition

10:22

, people who are single and

10:24

people who don't have children and have lives too

10:26

. Y'all please keep that in mind . Listening

10:36

to this episode is a way that

10:38

you can learn more about this . Of course , education

10:40

is a cornerstone of fostering and understanding

10:43

inclusivity , so take the initiative to

10:45

educate yourself beyond this episode even

10:47

though I'm thrilled that you're here so that you can learn about

10:49

different cultural traditions and practices

10:51

during the holiday season . Leaders might consider

10:53

organizing workshops or inviting guest

10:56

speakers or offering the opportunity for internal

10:58

staff members to share information about the historical

11:00

and cultural significance of various celebrations

11:03

. A well-informed workforce is better

11:05

equipped to appreciate and celebrate diversity

11:08

as a whole . I brought

11:10

up leaders , so let's go on ahead and wrap

11:12

this episode up by talking about that

11:14

vital role that leaders play in shaping workplace

11:16

culture , especially when the holiday season

11:18

rolls around . Think of leadership

11:20

like the conductor of an orchestra , setting

11:23

the tone for the whole performance During

11:26

the holiday season . It's not just about tencel

11:28

and festive tunes , though . Those

11:30

of you who know me , you know that I am just

11:32

about always down for some karaoke , but

11:35

again I digress . The holiday

11:37

season can be about embracing

11:39

and highlighting the richness of our unique identities

11:41

and cultures . Leaders need to make it loud

11:43

and clear that every employee's

11:45

perspective is not just welcomed , it's

11:48

truly celebrated , and this message

11:50

needs to echo throughout all the corners of your

11:52

organization , making inclusivity a core

11:54

value that everyone can vibe with . So

11:56

let's talk about leading by example . What

11:59

might it look like to see the leaders of organization

12:01

fully immersing themselves into the learning

12:03

and growth that comes from acknowledging , celebrating

12:06

and respecting the different cultures and traditions represented

12:08

in the workforce ? I'm talking way beyond

12:10

snagging goodies from the performative potluck table

12:13

. Yes , I said that . I'm talking about

12:15

showing a genuine interest

12:17

in learning about different people and what's

12:19

important to them . And wait , there's

12:21

more Using what they've

12:23

learned to inclusively lead an organization

12:25

where employees feel validated and they feel a

12:27

sense of belonging . That is leadership

12:30

in action . And what about policy ? You're

12:33

the architects of the organizational rules , right

12:35

? So when it comes to holidays , it's

12:37

about crafting policies that shout hey , we're

12:40

all in this together . Think about some of the things

12:42

I mentioned earlier , like flexibility . Policies

12:45

are more than rules , though . They are statements

12:47

. They are statements that reinforce the organization's

12:49

commitment to being a place that not only

12:51

accommodates but celebrates differences , a

12:54

place where they are about their people

12:56

. I think it's important that

12:58

we also address values . I kind of mentioned

13:00

that a little bit earlier . Policies are the guiding

13:02

compass that steers the strategy , the

13:05

implementation and basically who you are

13:07

as an organization , as well as who you

13:09

strive to be , and inclusivity is part

13:11

of this . It's not just a buzzword or

13:13

some politically correct trend . Inclusion

13:16

and other principles of DEI or diversity

13:18

, equity , inclusion should be inextricably woven

13:21

into the very fabric of your organizational values

13:23

, because I'm guessing

13:25

an organization that has leadership

13:27

has people to lead , and if there's people

13:29

, dei matters . It's

13:32

not just a once a year initiative

13:34

, it's a year round commitment

13:36

. By embedding inclusivity into

13:38

your core values , you're creating a workplace

13:40

where diversity isn't just acknowledged during

13:43

the holidays , it's celebrated as a

13:45

fundamental strength every single

13:47

day of the year . And that , my friends , is

13:49

the kind of workplace culture that sparks real

13:51

magic . So

14:01

let's wrap up our chat about making

14:03

workplaces awesome during the holidays . How

14:05

can we sum it all up ? Holiday events

14:07

More than just parties . They're

14:10

chances to showcase our team's mix of backgrounds

14:12

and build stronger bonds . Decorations

14:14

, neutral vibes with a splash of personal

14:17

expression , turning our workplace into a cultural

14:19

kaleidoscope . Food and drinks Simple

14:22

rule Make sure there's something for

14:24

everyone . Flexibility Give

14:26

folks the freedom to celebrate however they want . No

14:28

assumptions . Education Learn

14:31

about each other's traditions , learn about each

14:33

other and we all grow . Leadership

14:35

Leaders are the conductor setting the tone

14:37

. Get on board with embracing diversity , not

14:39

just during the holidays , but all year round . Policies

14:42

and values keep it simple . Inclusivity

14:44

isn't a trend , it's an everyday

14:46

thing . So , as we turn

14:49

our workplace into a hub of inclusivity , let's

14:51

keep the vibe alive . Cheers to celebrating

14:53

the magic and our differences every single

14:56

day , not just during the holiday season

14:58

. Thanks so much for stopping by

15:00

the Culture Clinic today for some tips and

15:02

a little bit of holiday cheer Until next time

15:04

. Take care of you , take care of your

15:06

people , take care of each other

15:08

. Happy holidays .