Welcome

We are honored and excited to have you join us! Whether you're here to figure out
ways to communicate effectively across difference, inspire others as an inclusive
leader, or even have those difficult conversations (or all three!), we look forward to
going on this journey with you.

Let's kick things off with our video below. (video Inclusive Leaders…)

Change Your Words and Change Your World

People affect the world around them in many ways, and we may not always know what
influences or inspires others. That is why we all have the potential to be leaders in our
everyday interactions. Empowering others through inclusive communication is one
way to create change in the world around you.

Essentials of Communication

In today's global world, how we

communicate is evolving at a rapid pace.
To truly understand why effective
communication is important for bringing out
the best in yourself—and others—let's take
a step back to highlight some essentials of
communication.

1. We live in a global and virtual

world. Okay, this may seem quite obvious,
but differences in language, time zones,
and access to information can help and
hinder our ability to communicate with
others. Even our use of humor, emoticons,
acronyms, and personal stories (all of which can be very specific to our culture) are
elements of communication that we must pay attention to.

2. Communication can take different forms. Verbal communication involves using

words, both written and spoken, to deliver a message. Non-verbal communication
comes in many forms, and includes our facial expressions, body movements, hand
gestures, signs, and symbols as well as the way something is said (e.g., pitch, tone,
volume, speed or pace, intonation, eye contact, and emotional affect). Silence is also
an overlooked yet powerful form of non-verbal communication because it opens a
space for connection to occur. Verbal and non-verbal communication work in concert
to convey messages in everyday conversations and in forms of artistic expression
such as painting and music.

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3. Audience matters. Whether you are having a one-on-one conversation, small group
discussion, or talking to a large group (virtually or in-person; written or spoken),
understanding your audience is critical.

Culture Matters: Body language and other non-verbal cues are part of how we
communicate and these can look different across cultures. For example, a thumbs up
hand gesture common in the US is a signal that all is well, but in Thailand it is seen as
an insult.

Can you think of some common non-verbal communication patterns found in your own
culture? Perhaps they are hand gestures, eye contact or touch that you know or
wonder are specific to your culture? Or perhaps you encountered these differences
while you were in another culture. Share these examples of non-verbal communication
or your experience on the Wiki page, available above.

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Effective Communicators are Inclusive (video)

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 You know you are communicating effectively when the message you are intending to
send is what is being received and your communication is making an impact.

Effective communicators are inclusive, because they consider all participants in their
interactions. They honor other viewpoints, are open even to those who disagree with
them, and speak up and take thoughtful action to make a difference in their life,
community, or workplace.

To effectively share ideas, have difficult conversations, connect across difference,

and inspire others to action, inclusion is necessary. Inclusive communication is a
platform you can use to change your life and the lives of others.

Everyone can be an inclusive leader. Everyone has the power to use their
voice to make change.

Building Blocks for Inclusive Leadership

At the core of inclusive communication is "inclusive leadership." Inclusive leadership
brings out the best in others.

In the following video, Deepali Bagati, PhD, Executive Director, United States,
Catalyst, will introduce you to the concept of inclusive leadership. (Deepali will dive
into inclusive leadership and the four leadership attributes that link to inclusion:

1. Empowerment

2. Accountability

3. Courage

4. Humility

We call this the "EACH Framework." These attributes are the building blocks for
inclusive leadership and the guideposts for inclusive and effective communication.

Each section, we will focus on one behavior to help you better understand the concepts and
how to apply them in your communication. These attributes can be extended to meet your
context, whether at work, in school, or in your personal life. But before we jump in
with Empowerment, let's check your inclusive leadership skills.

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Empowerment: What You Communicate Matters

We are communicating all the time. Much of our communication happens without our
conscious awareness of how or what we are conveying. Taking communication for
granted gives rise to norms and myths that we don't often stop to question.

These communication myths can burden us with

dangerous assumptions and counterproductive
behaviors. To communicate effectively with
empowerment, we need to bust these myths.

So let's do that here together: stop and take notice, and

work to debunk some everyday communication
myths. Through this exercise, you can create space
for yourself and others to feel empowered, and we
get one step closer to effective communication.

Let's bust some myths!

Applying Concepts to Real Life

Let's take a look at a few scenarios that our friend, Dylan, is facing. How should she
make the following communications more inclusive by creating space for others to feel
empowered?

Scenario 1: Dylan's direct report

Dylan’s direct report is anxious during her performance review. She sits quietly and
does not respond or engage in the discussion. What could Dylan do to make this
interaction more inclusive?

Write your answer in the open-response field below and click "Submit." Then
click "Show Answer" to learn one way the Catalyst team would address the
problem.

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 Dylan has a doctor’s appointment after work. She asks Dr. Merill about a condition she
read about online. Dr. Merill replies, “Much of what you read online is so unreliable, so
I would not get medical information there.” How could the doctor make this
communication more inclusive?

Write your answer in the open-response field below and click "Submit." Then
click "Show Answer" to learn one way the Catalyst team would address the
problem.

Dylan’s 10-year-old daughter keeps forgetting to do her homework. Feeling frustrated,

Dylan repeatedly reminds her each day to do her homework, until she does it. How
could Dylan make this communication more inclusive?

Write your answer in the open-response field below and click "Submit." Then
click "Show Answer" to learn one way the Catalyst team would address the
problem.

"How do I position myself as an inclusive leader and effective communicator to

make sure others feel included, heard, and valued?"

Now that you've done some thinking and posting about Effective Communication, let's
use those ideas to kick off your Personal Communication Plan.

Instructions

1. Identical versions of the Personal Communication Plan template are available in each
section through Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

 For Microsoft Word: Download this template and Save As in your files.

 For Google Docs: Open this template. Then save a copy for yourself using one of the
following methods: a) go to File and Make a Copy to save to your own Google Drive;
b) go to File and Download As to save on your computer; or c) go to File and Email
as an Attachment to send it to yourself.

2. In each section, add that section's template into your original file. By Section 4, you
will have four pieces in your Plan.

3. For this section, read the introduction, fill in the tables and answer the questions.

Note: You are not required to submit your Personal Communication Plan at the end of
the course. You may, however, choose to share part of your plan on the Discussion
Board by clicking "Show Discussion" and then Add a Post below.

Let's get started!

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Personal Communication Plan—Section 1
Save this template now to your own files!
Do this now to ensure you do not lose any work.
Remember, in each section you will add another portion of the template to your plan.

Welcome to your Personal Communication Plan!

We’ve designed this plan to help you explore your inclusive communication approach, where
your strengths are, and where you want to focus your efforts. Consider this part of the course
as time and space to reflect on how the content applies to your own life. Using guided
questions and discussion insights from the community, you will develop and refine your plan
and work toward developing your ability to communicate effectively and inclusively.
Think of this plan as a “work in progress.” Answer the questions as fully as you
canyou will have additional opportunities to review and refine each section. The plan
is designed to grow with you both during and after the course.
Note: You will not be required to share this plan at the end of the course. There will be
opportunities to voluntarily share parts of it on the discussion board.
Instructions:
1. Go to File and Save As. Save this document to your own files.
2. Read the introduction and answer the following questions.

Let’s get started!

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Section 1: Communicating Effectively with Empowerment
SELF-REFLECTION EFFECTIVE AND EMPOWERED COMMUNICATION
Let’s start by taking a look at your communication skills. The essentials of effective and
empowered communication are described below. Rate each according to how often you
engage in the behavior. What are your strengths? What are your areas of growth?

Table 1. Understanding Your Audience, Including Cultural Differences

Empowering communication Usually Sometimes Rarely
behavior
When communicating with someone
who is different from me, I pay
attention to cultural differences that
can affect our interaction (e.g.,
differences in language, time zones,
expression of emotion).
I make a determined effort to
understand the experiences and
needs of the people I am
communicating with.
I try to find the best form of
communication with others (e.g.,
email, social media, group
conversation, one-on-one
dialogue), considering the pros and
cons of each form, as well as the
goals of the interaction.
Totals

Table 2. Paying Attention to Non-Verbal Communication

Empowering communication Usually Sometimes Rarely
behavior
I am attentive to my non-verbal
communication (e.g., facial
expressions, body language), not
just my words.
I create space for others to
participate in a conversation, and I
am not afraid of silence.
When interacting with others in
person, I face them directly and
make eye contact as culturally
appropriate.
Totals

Table 3. Engaging in Learning and Self-Reflection

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 Empowering communication Usually Sometimes Rarely
behavior
In difficult conversations, I seek to
understand before being
understood.
I invite and encourage feedback to
learn about how my way of
communicating affects others.
In social media interactions, I pause
before I press send.
Totals

Table 4. Allowing Others to Feel Included, Heard, and Valued

Empowering communication Usually Sometimes Rarely
behavior
When confronted with different
opinions, I accept that being
understood does not require being
agreed with.
I listen to others with an open mind
to ensure they feel heard and
appreciated.
When someone comes to me with a
problem, I encourage them to find a
solution that works best for their
situation (and I resist telling them
what to do).
Totals

Identifying Your Areas of Growth

In which of the above empowering communication behaviors did you most often score
“Rarely”?
__ Understanding your audience, including cultural differences
__ Paying attention to non-verbal communication
__ Engaging in learning and self-reflection
__ Allowing others to feel included, heard, and valued

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Identifying Your Areas of Strength
In which of the above empowering communication behaviors did you most often score
“Usually”?
__ Understanding your audience, including cultural differences
__ Paying attention to non-verbal communication
__ Engaging in learning and self-reflection
__ Allowing others to feel included, heard, and valued

Congratulations! These are your Areas of Growth and Areas of Strength.

EMPOWERMENT IN EVERYDAY LIFE: STARTING YOUR COMMUNICATION

PLAN
Select two areas that you most want to work on.
1. What will effective communication look like to you in these areas? Where are you
successful? Where are you falling short?

2. What is another area of growth or strength not captured in the self-reflection exercise
that you would like to work on to enhance your communication skills?

3. Why did you choose these areas of growth?

4. How does this form of communication help people in an area your life (family, friends,
community, or workplace) feel empowered? Can you improve upon that?

[Next section, paste the Section 2 Personal Communication Plan template here.]

Community Resources

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Kicking off Community Resources...
Busting myths on gender differences in the brain (Article)
Nora Caplan-Bricker, "The Idea of a 'Male Brain' and a 'Female Brain' Is Likely a
Myth," Slate, November 2, 2015.

Challenges and strategies for creating safe communication spaces at work

(Article)
James R. Detert and Ethan R. Burris, "Can Your Employees Really Speak
Freely?," Harvard Business Review, vol. 94, no. 1 (January/February 2016): p. 80-
87.

Communication comes in all shapes and sizes (Video)

Nancy Lublin, "Texting That Saves Lives," TEDvideo, 5:24, February 2012.

Do men and women communicate differently? (Article)

Deborah Cameron, "What Language Barrier?," The Guardian, October 1, 2007.

Find out the meaning behind emojis (Website)

"Emojipedia."

Game-changing communication developments (Article)

Amber Leigh Turner, "5 Trends Disrupting Communication," TNW News.

How the medium of communications can change what we say (Article)

"Tweets From Mobile Devices Are More Likely to Be Egocentric," International
Communications Association press release, October 1, 2015.

Leaders can change their power cues to open up discussions (Article)

James R. Detert and Ethan R. Burris, "Nonverbal Cues Get Employees to Open
Up—or Shut Down," Harvard Business Review, December 11, 2015.

Parent/adult child bond increased with number of communication tools

(Article)
Heidi Stevens, "Tech-Savvy Parents Communicate Better with Adult Kids:
Study," Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2014.

Solid teams require people who can talk and organize (Video)
"Nike Academy: Communication and Leadership," YouTube video, 2:47, posted by
"Nike Football," Oct 2, 2014.

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Tools to streamline internal work communications (Article)
Catherine Lawson, "Online Chatting at Work Gets the Thumbs Up From
Bosses," BBC News, November 27, 2015.

When language perpetuates discrimination (Article)

Tory Paez, "Goodbye Chatty Kathy," Catalyzing, January 26, 2016.

The Power of Courageous Communication (video)

During a team meeting, Zoe decides to share a personal story from her own life to help
illustrate a viewpoint she has that is different from her direct supervisor's on how to
most effectively help a struggling client. Several of Zoe's colleagues are surprised by
her decision to speak up and share a personal story to the group. They feel
uncomfortable and don't know how to respond.

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 How could you respond as an effective and inclusive communicator?

Join us in the next section as we explore the power of courageous communication and
discover ways to communicate in both an inclusive and courageous manner.

Welcome to Section 2
As we explored in Section 1, we can all use our voices to change the world in small
and big ways—whether it's with our friends, families, communities, or workplaces. This
requires courage!

Let's examine the role that courage plays in communication. As we learned in the last
section, communication that is effective is also inclusive, considering all participants
in the interaction. Courage—an inclusive leadership behavior—helps us do this as we
engage across difference and move from exclusion to inclusion.

When we act with courage, we put personal interests aside to achieve what needs to
be done. We act on convictions and principles even when it requires some personal
risk-taking.

Courage is a powerful tool and is necessary to inclusive leadership. In the context of

inclusive communication, courage involves:

 Stepping outside your comfort zone to engage with people who may be different
from you.

 Finding strength to speak up about difficult issues.

 Embracing fear as a guidepost to think or act differently.

You will hear from the Catalyst team as you learn more about how courage works. In
the first video, Alix Pollack and Dnika Travis will introduce you to the concept of
courage. In a later video, Jeff Barth will provide a closer look at courage in action with
specific tools and takeaways.

"Difference" as a Tool for Inclusive Communication

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 "Greetings. I am pleased to see that we are different.
May we together become greater than the sum of both of us."

- Star Trek, Vulcan Greeting

Our differences—those attributes that make us unique—

can be a tool for inclusive communication. But what
exactly do we mean by difference?

"Differences" are the individual, personal, and cultural

attributes that make us unique. They can be our gender, race or ethnicity, nationality,
sexual orientation, ability, cultural identity, age, religion or spiritual beliefs, or
geographic location. They can also be personal attributes, such as personality,
thought process, or opinions. You can probably think of many others ways you are
different from other people. (Take a moment and share some on the Wiki page,
available above, under Section 2: Differences).

Communicating with people who may be different from you can be challenging and
can require a degree of courage. You may feel uncomfortable or defensive when
engaging with someone who may not share your values or worldview, and you may
also feel vulnerable.

So how can this type of interaction lead to inclusion? It takes courage to step
outside of what we know or think to use difference as a tool. Inclusive leaders use
difference —even when fearful, uncomfortable, or confused—to learn from other
perspectives and create an environment where people feel included.

Pushing past our discomfort and vulnerability to engage with people courageously
gives us opportunities to connect and learn from each other, as well as to speak up
or take meaningful action. These connections, in turn, help to create inclusive
environments and relationships.

This is an important aspect of using the EACH behavior—Empowerment,

Accountability, Courage, and Humility—to bridge differences.

Questionnaire Instructions
Read the statements about different situations below.

o Select the first option for any statement that has applied to you at any point in your life.

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o Select the second option for any statement you think has applied to someone you
know at any point in his or her life.

o Select the third option for any statement that applies both to you and someone you
know.

o Select the fourth option for any statement that doesn't apply to you or anyone you
know.

HAVE YOU EVER...

someone I
me both neither
know

Inquired about a holiday that is not part of your faith or

tradition.
Spoke up or took action to resolve a conflict and made
sure that everyone's perspective was heard.

Let's take a look at Joan's story:

Joan, a widowed mother of three, moved from the United States to Norway to pursue
a master's degree. She befriended the older Norwegian couple who lived next door to
her. After a while, Joan wondered why this couple had never asked her questions
about her life before Norway. Did they not care?

One night after dinner together, she felt distraught and asked them: "We are becoming
good friends, but I really wonder why you've never asked me any questions about my
past, my husband, or my life in America?" Much to her surprise, they responded, "We
have wanted to know, but we felt it was completely inappropriate and impolite to ask
you."

Through this conversation, Joan discovered that in the couple's background and
upbringing, the norm was that you don't pry into the lives of people you care for; you
wait for them to say something. In contrast, Joan's upbringing taught her that if you
are interested in someone, you show it by asking questions.

Joan relates, "It ended up being a lovely exchange, understanding that we were
coming from very different assumptions about how you get to know someone...[It]
broke open the barriers that we had about sharing information and brought us very,
very close. They ended up being what I call my children's Norwegian grandparents."

Why Courage? (video)

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 Courage can be a powerful tool for strengthening connections with others and creating
opportunities for individuals to speak up even in difficult situations. In this video, Jeff
Barth, Program Director, MARC (Men Advocating Real Change), discusses why
courage is important and how it connects us through perspective taking. He shares
inspiring stories and helpful tips for how you can introduce courage into your own life.

Take a Virtual Walk in Someone Else's Shoes

Directions: Watch ONE video from the options below to get to know the story of
someone different from yourself. Please choose a video that features an experience
that seems different from your own. Each video has subtitles in multiple languages
and interactive transcripts available as well.

Please note you will be using this video in later sessions as well. If you feel so inclined,
feel free to watch more than one video and find the one that pushes you the furthest
outside your comfort zone.

1. At some point in their life, everyone has experienced hardship.

Ash Beckham "We're All Hiding Something. Let's Find the Courage to Open Up"
[09:22 min]

In this video, we learn about the courage it takes to share something painful or difficult
about our lives. Ash shares her own story of communicating about her sexual
orientation and gender expression. She explores the power of facing what is difficult
in each of our lives.

2. Culture is complex and can't be represented by just one voice.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie "The Danger of a Single Story" [18:49 min]

In this video we hear about the power of storytelling as a tool to construct

understanding of people and cultures different from our own. Ms. Adichie explores
how stories can foster connection and education, but if not done thoughtfully, can be
a source of stereotyping and narrow presentations of diverse experiences. Ask
yourself, who tells the story of your culture, and does it represent how you'd like the
world to see you?

3. Reshaping how we think about disability.

Sue Austin "Deep Sea Diving...In a Wheelchair" [09:38 min]

In this video Sue Austin talks about her transition to using a wheelchair. Through
sharing her story and the use of artistic expression, she challenges all to reconsider
what it means to be "disabled" and to be free.

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 A Walk in Someone Else's Shoes (Assignment)

At some point in our lives, most of us find we have

something that is difficult to communicate to others.
There may be things about us that are difficult to share.
It takes courage to open up and share that part of
ourselves.

In this discussion, we would like to hear your thoughts on how you have approached
such communication, and how they were received.

Question, Part 1: In each of the videos, the speaker required courage to push
boundaries, make connections, change stories, and shift perspectives.

o Why did you choose a particular video?

o In what ways did your perspective change, if it did, after watching the video?

Skills and Steps to Communicate With Courage

Sometimes, walking in another person’s shoes involves navigating through
uncomfortable situations. It is not always easy to understand someone else's
viewpoint, especially if emotions are involved. Staying present while working toward
understanding can generate opportunities for you to create a shift, help others become
less defensive, and move the focus from differences to commonalities.

Here are some strategies that can help you become more comfortable and confident
when having these courageous conversations.

Take a breath. Think before you speak or act. When confronted with a challenging
communication situation, we may feel triggered to respond immediately, which can
sometimes lead to communicating ineffectively in the moment. This is especially true
when we are using technology—since words can live for a long time in this medium, it
is wise to refrain from posting or texting in the heat of the moment.

Ask thoughtful clarifying questions. Try to understand where another person is

coming from by asking questions such as "Can you explain what you meant by..."; "I
think I heard you say [...], is that accurate?"; or "I'd like to understand more about what
you are feeling—can you say more about that?"

Use "I" (and "We") statements instead of "you" statements. Instead of saying "It's
so annoying! You always say terrible things about my choices," you can say "I feel like
I am not good enough to be your friend when I feel you are criticizing my choices." In
certain cases, statements using "we" are more appropriate, but always be specific as
to who comprises the "we" you are talking about. For example, "We colleagues need
to..." or "We women in our communities are experiencing..."

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Agree to disagree. By using inclusive communication when faced with a courageous
conversation, you may create a shift for the other person that is not always apparent.
You will also courageously share your perspective. The goal is to move toward
understanding, even if it means not agreeing. At the same time, try to find a point of
common ground, such as a shared value, viewpoint, or idea. Speak to it in a
meaningful way, even when you agree to disagree. For example, "I appreciate your
perspective on this, even though I don't hold the same view. Clearly we have differing
opinions on how to get there, but I am glad to know we have the same end goal in
mind."

Commit to Action. Many times the most courageous steps we can take as inclusive
communicators come after a conversation ends. During these moments, we have
unique opportunities to follow up, learn from missteps, or set a new course of action.
Of course, the most powerful next step will depend on the "feel" of interaction, the
audience, and purpose of the conversation. In speaking with colleagues about a trust
issue at work, you may commit to gathering more facts to clarify assumptions and
explore potential areas of growth. In your everyday interactions, you must commit to
action—creating more opportunities for you to practice inclusive communication.

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Now that you've spent time thinking about courage and communication, continue to
develop your Personal Communication Plan with your insights and ideas.

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 Instructions
Identical versions of the Personal Communication Plan template are available in each
section through Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Click on the link to open the format
you want to use.

1. Open the Personal Communication Plan document from Section 1 that you saved on
your computer or to your Google Drive.

2. Open the Section 2 template in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

3. Select, copy, and paste Section 2's text and tables into your original file at the end,
after Section 1.

4. For this section, read the introduction, fill in the tables and answer the questions.

Personal Communication Plan—Section 2

Copy the Section 2 material now and paste it into the Personal Communication Plan
file you started in Section 1.
Do this now to ensure you do not lose any work.
Remember, in each section you will add another portion of the template to your plan.

Welcome back to your Personal Communication Plan!

Think of this plan as a “work in progress.” Answer the questions as fully as you canyou will
have additional opportunities to review and refine each section. The plan is designed to grow
with you both during and after the course.
Note: You will not be required to share this plan at the end of the course. There will be
opportunities to voluntarily share parts of it on the discussion board.
Instructions:
1. Open the Personal Communication Plan document you saved into your own files in
Section 1.
2. Select and Copy all the text from Section 2, below.
3. Paste the text to the end of the Personal Communication Plan document you saved
into your own files during Section 1.
4. Read the introduction and answer the following questions.

Let’s get started!

Section 2: Courage is Contagious

In this section, we’re looking at how you can use courageous communication to move from
exclusion to inclusion.

20
Continuing Your Personal Communication Plan
This section, we learned that courage is a powerful tool that is necessary for inclusive
leadership. In the context of inclusive communication, courage involves:

 Stepping outside your comfort zone to engage with people who may be different from
you.
 Finding strength to speak up about difficult issues.
 Embracing fear as a guidepost to think or act differently.

Now, let’s take a look at courage in your communication. What is working and what is not?
Rate your communication skills below.

SELF-REFLECTIONYOUR COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION

Table 1. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Courageous communication behavior Usually Sometimes Rarely
/Never
I seek opportunities to step out of my comfort
zone to engage with others who may be different
from me.
I am open to perspectives that are different from
my own.
I go above and beyond to learn about the
experiences of those who may be different from
me.
People in my life know me as someone who is
good at understanding what someone else is
feeling.
Totals

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Table 2. Finding Strength to Speak Up
Courageous communication behavior Usually Sometimes Rarely
I am known for encouraging individuals in my
life to speak up or take action when confronted
with difficult situations, inequity, or injustice
When I hear disrespectful jokes or comments, I
make an effort to speak up.
When I share difficult feedback, I use “I” and
“We” statements and not “You” to avoid blame
or misinterpretation of intent.
I provide clear, honest feedback to others in a
timely manner.
Totals

Table 3: Embracing Fear

Courageous communication behavior Usually Sometime Rarely
s
I listen to negative feedback as an opportunity to
learn and grow.
In uncomfortable situations, I help others
connect by finding common ground.
When I start feeling emotional, I take a breath
before I speak.
When I don’t understand something, I ask
questions first, even if I feel afraid or vulnerable.
Totals

1. List two of the courageous communication behaviors from the checklist above that you
would like to focus on during this course and in the future.

2. Why did you choose those two courageous communication behaviors for improvement
and development?

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COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE

1. Think of a time when you had an interaction in your targeted area of growth that did
not go as expected, and you wish you had done something different.
a. Describe the situation.

b. How could courage have helped you be more effective and inclusive? (For
example, understanding the perspective of someone who is different from you
or speaking up when others in your team are silent)?

c. Which area of growth or area of strength would help you if you were in this
situation again?

2. Describe a time when you think you were courageousor when you were not and
could have been? What did you learn?

Further Reflection
At some point in our lives, most of us find ourselves with something that is difficult to
communicate to those in our lives. What is something about yourself that you have found
difficult to share with others? Have you had conversations with courage to open up and share
that part of yourself? How did you approach that communication, and how was it received? If
you are comfortable, share this with the group.

Kicking off Community Resources...

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Assuming Positive Intent and Communicating Across Difference (Article)
Liane Davey, "A Mental Trick to Help With Challenging Conversations," HBR Blog,
December 16, 2015.

Being the person to speak up when others are keeping silent (Video)
Margaret Heffernan, "The Dangers of 'Willful Blindness'," TEDxDanubia video, 14:38,
March 2013.

Combatting unconscious bias (Infographics)

Catalyst, How to Combat Unconscious Bias as an Individual (February 11, 2015).
Catalyst, How to Combat Unconscious Bias as a Leader in Your
Organization (December 11, 2014).
Catalyst, What is Unconscious Bias? (December 11, 2014).

Communicating across global teams and boosting efficiency (Video)

"How to Lead a Successful Global Team," YouTube video, 3:51, posted by
"Strategy+Business," November 21, 2014.

In search of what makes us human, and how we connect (Video)

Brené Brown, "The Power of Vulnerability," TEDxHouston video, 20:19, June 2010.

Revealing your most authentic self to connect across differences (Video)

Bruce Muzik, "The Big Secret Nobody Wants to Tell: Bruce Muzik@TEDxSinCity,"
TEDxSinCity video, 20:02, June 6, 2011.

Speaking up as an ally is powerful (Video)

"Cracking the Codes: Joy DeGruy, A Trip to the Grocery Store," YouTube video (via
World Trust), 3:39, May 14, 2013.

Steps to interrupt emotionally volatile conversations (Article)

Ron Friedman, "Defusing an Emotionally Charged Conversation With a
Colleague," HBR Blog, January 12, 2016.

Humble Listening
You are under a lot of pressure at work with a looming deadline when your colleague
Anika comes by your desk hoping to discuss a problem she is having with her direct
report. How do you attend to the needs of Anika and demonstrate your commitment
to making her feel valued and included at this very inconvenient time?

24
 In Section 3, we will look at humble listening and learn the skills necessary to help
others feel included, valued, heard, and perhaps most importantly, understood.

Humility in Effective Communication (video)

Welcome to Section 3 of Leading With Effective Communication! In this section, we
will explore an element of inclusive leadership that can be undervalued and
overlooked: humility.

Humility is demonstrated through our willingness to admit mistakes, accept and learn
from criticism and different points of view, and seek contributions from others to
overcome limitations. One powerful way to exhibit humility in your communication is
through listening—specifically, humble listening. Let's explore that and other concepts
in this section's video.

Pause and Listen with Humility

Let's review what humble listening is, and what it isn't:

Humble Listening Is Inclusion in Action

Humble listening is the act of attending to another person with empathy by:

 Creating a safe environment in which people feel comfortable sharing and connecting
with you.

 Attempting to reach an understanding of what is being said and/or experienced, even

if you don't agree.

 Demonstrating that you have listened to and understood the speaker by paraphrasing
and repeating the messages you heard.

 Pausing to put your own opinions, justifications, and viewpoints aside to reflect on and
learn from the speaker's experience.

Humble listening is NOT:

 Multitasking. It is hard to listen deeply when distracted by another person, task,

technology, or device.

 Thinking about what you want to say while the other person is talking.

 Talking without pausing to give the other person an opportunity to respond or clarify.

 Believing that you know exactly what the other person is thinking, meaning, or
intending.

25
 Ignoring nonverbal behavior.

 Agreeing with everything the other person says.

Feeling Heard

The lesson in this section will help you build the

skills to become a humble listener. You'll also
gain strategies for having more effective
difficult conversations, learning from other
people as well as your own mistakes, and
creating stronger connections as an inclusive
leader.

Remember: sometimes our own voices can best be heard by pausing and listening
with humility to connect with and learn from others. When we pause and listen—
stepping away from the running script in our minds to take in what is being shared with
us—we strengthen connections, increase the likelihood of reaching mutual
understanding, and in turn enhance our own ability to give voice to our thoughts in a
way that is both empathetic and impactful. This is effective and inclusive
communication at its best.

Question: What is YOUR biggest obstacle to becoming a humble listener? What do

you think gets in the way of really listening?

Do You Listen with Humility?

0 points possible (ungraded)

As we have learned, hearing and listening are not the same thing. Humble listening
helps others feel included, valued, and truly heard, and it is necessary for inclusive
communication. It involves communicating that you have heard and understood
someone. Before we learn more, let's find out how well you listen in real-world
situations.

Answer each question below. When you are done, click "Submit" to save your
responses and then "Show Answer" to learn more.

Please note that you will not be graded on your answers in this self-assessment, just
on your participation. It will be most helpful to your learning if you answer honestly.
We will then move forward to dig deeper into inclusive and effective communication.

What is Your Answer?

1. A friend sends you an email with some updates on her life and then asks
you a series of questions about your life. You respond by:
A. Sending a reply with very brief responses to each of her questions--you have a
tight deadline at work and don’t have time for detailed responses or to get involved in

26
a whole back-and-forth conversation right now, but you don’t want to be rude and
ignore her.
B. Marking the email as unread and leaving it. She’ll understand if you don’t
reply.
C. Sending a quick note letting her know you’re happy to hear from her but
you’re swamped and can’t reply with the attention you’d like to give her right now.
Instead, you suggest setting up a Skype chat the following week when you know
you’ll have the time to talk, and you suggest a few days and times when you are
free.

2. While someone is speaking on a video conference with your global work

team, you:
A. Look at the speaker while thinking about your next comment, waiting for a
break in the presentation so you can share your thought.
B. Write notes furiously, keeping your eyes down on your paper to make sure
you’re getting it all.
C. Listen carefully, look into the webcam at a comfortable rhythm, nod when you
agree to convey understanding, take notes on key points, and ask an open-ended
question to allow for a more developed response.
Unanswered

3. A co-worker comes to you to express frustration about a project that has

been repeatedly delayed. You:
A. Glance at your to-do list and check your phone while your colleague speaks.
This person is just venting, and you have heard this all before.
B. Let your colleague speak for a bit while you say “uh-huh” and nod. You jump
in after a while with how you would handle it. After all, why is your colleague coming
to you if not for advice?
C. As soon as you realize what your colleague is coming to you for, you stop and
say, “You’re catching me at a bad time, and it’s clear this is important to you. I want
to give you my full attention, but I really need to wrap this up. How about you come
back in 10 minutes? Thanks for being flexible.”

4. During a difficult conversation, your friend sits silently with her arms
crossed. You:
A. Hear a text come in and it might be from work. Clearly her silence is a sign
you can do something else for a minute.
B. Take your cue from her; sit quietly and say, “I am at a loss for what to say right
now. But I am here. And I care about you and our friendship. What can I do to
understand what you’re feeling right now?”
C. Jump in to fill the silence. The quiet makes you uncomfortable.

Empathy Fuels Connection

27
Humble listening is the act of attending to another person with empathy. But what
exactly do we mean by empathy?

Take a look at the following animated short video, in which Dr. Brené Brown explores
what empathy is and is not.

Watch now: Brené Brown on Empathy video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

For those without video access or who want to learn more, this article highlights
lessons from the video:
Brené Brown on Empathy vs. Sympathy

Humble Listening in Your Communication

Many times, there are verbal and nonverbal cues that help us feel listened to and
understood. Humble listening helps create connection, which fosters a sense of

28
inclusion, because it allows people to feel that they are being understood in a way
that values their sense of uniqueness and creates a sense of belonging.

Here are some methods to demonstrate humble listening in your communication—

both face-to-face and online.

Be open to different perspectives. We must remain open to other perspectives,

demonstrating empathy in our communication—regardless of our position of power
(e.g., designated leader, expert, or authority) or our own expectations about what
another person "should be" saying or feeling.

Use encouragers. Encouragers are verbal and nonverbal reassurances that you are
present and listening deeply. These behaviors can vary across customs and
countries. In some countries, verbal encouragers include using phrases like "Go on,"
"Okay," and "Uh-huh." Nonverbal encouragers include nodding your head or using
an emoji.

Clarify understanding. After someone shares something with you or responds to

your question, paraphrase the message and check your understanding by using
tentative language ("it sounds like...," "if I am hearing you correctly...," and "I'm
hearing you say...") and asking if you got it right ("is that correct?"). Additionally,
open-ended questions—which often start with words like "What" or "How"—create
opportunities to gain deeper insight, which can also help reflect and clarify
understanding.

Reflect meaning when communicating. To demonstrate you are connecting with

and understanding what the other person truly means, it is important to reflect
both content (what is being said) and feeling (the feeling or mood behind what is
being said). Sometimes this means letting go of knowing just the right thing to say or
trying to "fix" or solve a problem. For example, when a friend tells you he had a bad
day (and seems frustrated in his tone), you can say, "It sounds like you had a difficult
time today and are feeling pretty frustrated. Is that the case?"

Pausing is powerful. Pausing in the moment allows you to take a deep breath and
truly reflect on another experience. Sometimes this means postponing a
conversation for another (agreed-upon) time, particularly when you are not currently
in the right environment or mind space. Admitting your limits for having the
conversation now shows you care, and is a part of the self-reflection needed for
humble listening.

29
Communicating Through Uncertainty (video)

30
 In this video, Jeff Barth discusses how pausing and approaching communication
interactions with thoughtfulness and humility can improve our leadership.

How Will You Be a Humble Listener?

Bookmark this page

POLL: YOU AS A HUMBLE LISTENER TODAY

We’re asking you to consciously implement one of the following humble listening
methods in a conversation you have in the next 48 hours. On which method will you
focus?

Seek a different perspective

Use verbal and nonverbal encouragers

Paraphrase to clarify understanding

Reflect both content and feeling

Take a pause

Now that you've spent time thinking about humble communication, continue to
develop your Personal Communication Plan with your insights and ideas.

Instructions
Identical versions of the Personal Communication Plan template are available in
each section through Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Click on the link to open the
format you want to use.

1. Open the Personal Communication Plan document from Section 1 that you saved on
your computer or to your Google Drive.

2. Open the Section 3 template in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

3. Select, copy, and paste Section 3's text and table into your original file at the end,
after Sections 1 and 2.

4. For this section, read the introduction, fill in the table and answer the questions.

31
 Personal Communication Plan—Section 3
Copy the Section 3 material now and paste it into the Personal Communication Plan
file you started in Section 1.
Do this now to ensure you do not lose any work.
Remember, in each section you will add another portion of the template to your plan.

Welcome back to your Personal Communication Plan!

Think of this plan as a “work in progress.” Answer the questions as fully as you canyou will
have additional opportunities to review and refine in each section. The plan is designed to
grow with you both during and after the course.
Note: You will not be required to share this plan at the end of the course. There will be
opportunities to voluntarily share parts of it on the discussion board.
Instructions:
1. Open the Personal Communication Plan document you saved into your own files in
Section 1.
2. Select and Copy all the text from Section 3, below.
3. Paste the text at the end of the Personal Communication document you saved into
your own files during Section 1 and 2.
4. Read the introduction and answer the following questions.

Let’s get started!

32
Section 3: Listening Is Communicating, Too.
Communicating With Humility
In this section, we focus on how to demonstrate humility in your communication through
humble listening.

REFINE YOUR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION PLAN

This section, let’s take a look at humble listening in your communications. What is working
and what is not? Rate your humble communications skills below:

Table 1: Self-Reflection: Your Humble Listening

Humble listening behaviors Usually Sometimes Rarely
I give encouraging body language
signals (for example, nodding my head
or smiling) to let people know I am
listening.
I use communication strategies such as
asking open-ended questions or
paraphrasing to show I am listening and
understanding.
I pause and put my own opinions aside
in order to listen fully.
I attend to other people with empathy,
trying to understand their perspectives
I seek to create a safe space where
people feel comfortable sharing and
engaging with me.
When listening, I am present and
engaged, resisting the urge to multitask
or think about what I want to say next.
I use humble listening behaviors when
communicating from distance, such as
in written communication like email,
social media, and in texting and on the
phone.
I attend to the words that are being said
as well as how they are being said to
understand other points of view.
I am willing to be vulnerable, to admit
when I do not fully understand, and to
seek other perspectives when listening.

1. List two humble listening behaviors from the checklist above you would like to focus
on during this course and in the future.

33
 2. Why did you choose those two humble listening behaviors for improvement and
development?

HUMBLE LISTENING IN EVERYDAY LIFE

1. Describe a conversation either on the phone, online, or face-to-face where you used
humble listening behaviors or saw someone else using them.
a. How did you see or experience humility being used as a tool in that
interaction to make the communication more effective?

b. What elements of humble listening did you observe or practice that you would
like to replicate?

c. Looking back, what might have been done differently?

2. Describe a conversation either on the phone, online, or face-to-face where you did
not use humble listening behaviors but in hindsight wish you had. Which behavior do
you think would have helped the situation and why? Which area of growth or area of
strength would help you if you were in this situation again?

Further Reflection
What humble listening behaviors do you want to develop? Create a plan to strengthen those
behaviors. Identify which of the behaviors on the checklist are your greatest strengths. What
is one action you can take to increase the impact of your communication using humble
listening to create understanding and connection?

Kicking off Community Resources...

Are you a good listener? Find out (Quiz)
Psychology Today, "Listening Skills Test."

34
Are you a good listener? Find out (Quiz)
Mind Tools, "How Good are Your Listening Skills? Understanding Someone's Entire
Message."

Active listening and attending behaviors (Video)

"Active Listening: Katie Owens at TEDxYouth@Conejo," YouTube video, posted by
"TEDx Talks," 3:18, January 21, 2013.

Getting past roadblocks to effective listening (Video)

"Listening and Its Enemies: Avi Kluger: TEDxLaçador," YouTube video, posted by
"TEDx Talks," 17:20, May 29, 2015.

Good leaders ask questions and listen thoroughly (Article)

Chris Baréz-Brown, "3 Habits of Humble Yet Effective Leaders," Fast Company,
October 26, 2015.

Six stories from StoryCorps, where people share stories from their lives
(Video)
The Rauch Brothers, "Listening Is an Act of Love," StoryCorps via POV video, 22:36,
November 28, 2013.

Hold Yourself and Others Accountable

You are working with your team on a tight deadline. One of your team members,
Steve, not only seems to avoid taking on his share of the work, but also has caused
the team to miss deadlines, taking the project off schedule. How do you use inclusive
communication to hold both yourself and Steve responsible during a challenging
situation?

Join us in the next section, as we will look at the role of accountability in inclusive
communication.

See you next section!

Accountability Is What Keeps Us Honest (video)

Welcome to the final section of our Leading With Effective Communication course!

We have been exploring ways you can use your voice to change the world—with
friends and families, and in communities and workplaces. In Sections 1-3, we
35
 learned that Empowerment, Courage, and Humility are required to do this. In this
section, we are taking a look at Accountability—our fourth inclusive leadership
behavior.

Accountability is about holding yourself and others responsible for being inclusive
communicators, both when things are going well and when things are challenging.

 Take responsibility for your role in the success or failure of a particular

communication or interaction, including in the face of setbacks.

 Check your assumptions or judgments about what another person or group of

people are feeling or experiencing.

 Practice your inclusive communication skills by putting the approaches you

learned here into practice in your everyday life, especially when holding others
accountable or giving challenging feedback.

 Help others to do the same by encouraging and supporting their ability to learn and
take responsibility, check their assumptions, and practice inclusive communication
skills.

Let's explore the concept of Accountability and its role in effective and inclusive
communication.

36
Real Life Accountability (video)
General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra enacted accountability when, as VP of Global
Human Resources, her team was asked to revise the company dress code. Instead

37
of drafting a detailed policy about what employees could and could not wear, she
adopted a very simple policy: Dress appropriately. This held her leaders at GM
accountable for having direct conversations with team members, instead of relying
on a policy to do the talking for them. This simple yet powerful action created an
empowering environment for employees to decide what was appropriate—and it
holds everyone accountable for their actions, rather than following a rule. To learn
more, watch the video below.

Speaking of Accountability (video)

Question: What are you held accountable for in your life? How do you communicate
about it?

At home this could mean collecting cell phones in a basket at the start of family
meals, creating a swear jar to discourage inappropriate language, or having a
tradition of sharing and storytelling at special gatherings.

At work it may be through company policies, emails, or unwritten rules shared

verbally or picked up by observing behavioral norms. What other tools do you
observe or use?

Check Your Assumptions

Assumptions are interpretations of what we

hear, read, or observe. They are based on our
own personal attitudes and beliefs. Check your
assumptions about what others are feeling and
help others to check their own assumptions.
This is a necessary part of holding yourself and
others responsible as inclusive communicators.

We all have ways of thinking or attitudes that

are beyond our awareness and control. Maybe
you assume that women are naturally good
listeners? These assumptions can inform our
perceptions of a person or social group, and
they can influence our decision-making and
behavior. These attitudes affect both snap judgments and carefully considered
decisions.1 When these assumptions are misguided or unchecked, they can get in
the way of dialogue that fuels connections, sparks new ideas, and inspires action.

The good news is that we can overcome our natural tendency to make assumptions
or snap judgments about people or situations. Let's explore some concrete
techniques that we can use.

38
1. Catalyst, Infographic: What is Unconscious Bias? (December 11, 2014).

Always Assume Positive Intent

One technique for checking assumptions is to presume that others have positive
rather than negative intent. This means consciously choosing to believe that people
act and speak to the best of their ability and for the benefit of others.

In this video clip, Indra Nooyi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo,
shares advice she received from her father to "always assume positive intent."

Watch now: Assume Positive Intent video

Inclusion means that we assume positive intent from everyone, not just some
people. By assuming positive intent, we put our own judgments, viewpoints, and
biases aside to focus on what the person actually means, rather than what
we think we hear or see. We recognize that we do not always fully understand a
situation or what another person is experiencing. This may also mean presuming
that others can be accountable for their choices and behaviors, and holding them
accountable for assuming positive intent from us and others.

Finally, by asking clarifying questions, we create connections and put our

assumptions in check. When we do this as leaders and individuals, we can take
responsibility for reducing blame and defensiveness, challenge bias and prevailing
ways of thinking, and ultimately, bring out the best in ourselves and others.

Positive Intent Activity

Bookmark this page

How Would You Assume Positive Intent?

0 points possible (ungraded)

Let’s look at an example and work through a brief activity.

39
 Here is the scenario: You hand in a large project as scheduled and then meet with
your supervisor to discuss it. She is curt with you, and it is not a productive meeting.

Assuming negative intent

What you are thinking: She must have hated my work on that project. The least she
could do is give me some feedback. I worked so long on it, I know the material better
than she does.

What happens next: The next time you meet with her, you still feel angry. You start
by defending your work, implying she does not understand the project the way you
do and that she is not doing her job well.

Leave Your Assumptions at the Door

In the book Reframing Change,1 authors Jean K. Latting and V. Jean Ramsey share
a research-based method for testing assumptions. Let's explore this four-step
process and work through an example together.

Four Ways to Check Your Assumptions (and Help Others Do the Same)

1. Go beyond "either/or thinking." Don't oversimplify a situation to a dichotomy (one

person is "right" and the other is "wrong"). This prevents us from moving from
exclusion to inclusion by conveying blame, reinforcing group-think or fear ("either
you're with us or against us"), and not allowing different points of view to surface.

2. Pay attention to strong emotional reactions (yours and theirs). Make a personal
commitment to notice both verbal and non-verbal emotional cues (e.g., anger or
annoyance as expressed through subtle changes in facial expression, tone, and
posture such as a raised eyebrow, deep sigh, or silence) that can sometimes
overtake our ability to interpret the world around us. Use these cues to shift your
thinking and actions through perspective-taking (as discussed in Section 2) or by
reinforcing positive, affirming experiences (e.g., expressing gratitude, sharing
inspiration, reinforcing shared values, asking thoughtful questions).

3. Ask "What if?" Find ways to hold yourself and others accountable by asking
whether the things you are hearing, seeing, or thinking are true. For example: What if
what my team really does not share my perspective, but agreed anyway? What if I
misunderstood that email? What if I am being defensive? By considering more than
one explanation for any situation and asking "What if..." you can check your
assumptions and open space for better decision-making and deeper connections
with others.

40
4. Check cultural assumptions and misconceptions. As we learned in Section 2,
each of us has different perspectives, expectations, and values that are part of our
backgrounds. Unfamiliar cultures (national, regional, religious, racial/ethnic, familial,
etc.) and communication styles can lead to misunderstanding, hurt feelings, and
confusion, and we often reinforce unconscious biases or stereotypes when we
unknowingly fall back on them to help us process the unknown. Hold yourself and
others accountable for self-reflection, learning, and continually analyzing your
behaviors and experiences. This is particularly important when communicating with
people who are different from you, so that you don't rely on assumptions. At the
same time, interrupt when you see others engaging in biased behaviors by
constructively calling out their missteps and suggesting alternative ways of thinking.2

1. Jean Kantambu Latting and Jean Ramsey, Reframing Change: How to Deal with
Workplace Dynamics, Influence Others, and Bring People Together to Initiate
Positive Change (Santa Barbara: ABC-LLC, 2009).
2. Catalyst, Infographic: How to Combat Unconscious Bias as an
Individual (February 11, 2015).

Inclusive Communication Can Make a Real Difference

In this next video, we see how inclusive communication can make a difference
through the experience of a young boy and his father. Even in the most challenging
situations, we can be inclusive communicators in small yet powerful ways. By doing
so, we can create ripple effects in ways not imagined that help bring out the best in
ourselves and others. If we create a safe environment for open and authentic
sharing, are willing to take the perspective of others, and engage in humble listening,
we are practicing inclusive leadership behaviors. And ultimately, we can make a
difference.

Watch now: "They might have guns but we have flowers" video

Reflect on your day-to-day experiences in your personal life, communities, and

workplace. How are you using your voice in small and powerful ways to make a
difference? Be prepared to explore it more in your Personal Communication Plan
and in your final Commitment to Action.

Get Inspired
Here are more examples of people using their voices to change the world, which
may help with your own idea generation, Personal Communication Plan
development, and Commitment to Action. Consider taking a moment to review one
or all of the following optional videos:

41
 Take A Little Action
 Changing The World Starts With You
 Wry Photos That Turn Stereotypes Upside Down
 Oppression To Opera: Could A Woman's Courage Change Pakistan?
Now that you've learned about the ideas behind effective communication, let's pull it
all together to finalize your Personal Communication Plan.

Personal Communication Plan—Section 4

Copy the Section 4 material now and paste it into the Personal Communication Plan
file you started in Section 1.
Do this now to ensure you do not lose any work.
Remember, in each section you will add another portion of the template to your plan.
Welcome back to your Personal Communication Plan!
Think of this plan as a “work in progress.” Answer the questions as fully as you canyou will
have additional opportunities to review and refine in each section. The plan is designed to
grow with you both during and after the course.
Note: You will not be required to share this plan at the end of the course. There will be
opportunities to voluntarily share parts of it on the discussion board.
Instructions:
1. Open the Personal Communication Plan document you saved into your own files in
Section 1.
2. Select and Copy all the text from Section 4, below.
3. Paste the text at the end of the Personal Communication document you saved into
your own files during Sections 1, 2, and 3.
4. Read the introduction and answer the following questions.

Let’s get started!

Section 4: Wrapping UpAccountability and Putting It

All Together
In this section, we focus on accountability—holding yourself and others responsible for
inclusive communication.

REFINE YOUR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION PLAN

This section, let’s take a look at accountability in your communications. What is working and
what is not in terms of how you hold yourself and others accountable? Rate your
accountability in the communications skills below.

Table 1: Self-Reflection: Accountability

42
Accountability behaviors Usually Sometimes Rarely
I consciously choose to believe an
individual is acting and speaking to the
best of his or her ability.
I try not to assume one person is “right”
and one person is “wrong.”
I listen to criticism and differences without
feeling threatened or defensive.
I hold others accountable for
communicating inclusively, through role
modeling behaviors, setting clear
expectations, and speaking up even in
difficult situations.
I encourage other people to use inclusive
communication.
I ask others to be responsible for
improving their communication skills.
I seek to embody the inclusive leadership
mindset of empowerment, accountability,
courage, and humility in all of my
communications.
I accept that I will not get it right all of the
time, but remain committed to continual
growth and improvement.
Even though they are difficult to face, I
welcome setbacks as opportunities to
learn.

43
 1. List two accountability behaviors from the checklist above that you would like to focus
on during this course and in the future.

2. Why did you choose those two behaviors for improvement and development?

ACCOUNTABILITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE: FINALIZE YOUR PERSONAL

COMMUNICATION PLAN
Review, reflect, and revise work done in Sections 1-4.
1. Using EACH, list solutions to improving the two communication forms you identified
to improve. What will you do to hold yourself accountable for continued practice and
improvement?

Effective communication involves all of us. Even in the most challenging situations, we can be

inclusive communicators in small yet powerful ways. By doing so, we create ripple effects in

unexpected ways that bring out the best in ourselves and otherswith friends and families, and in

communities and workplaces.

We must use our voice and actions to create a safe environment for open and authentic sharing, be

willing to understand different perspectives, speak up to fuel positive action, engage in humble

listening, and hold ourselves and others responsible even when confronting setbacks. And

ultimately, we can make a difference.

2. What action would you like to take—now, next month, or in the next six months—
toward becoming an inclusive and effective communicator and changing how you
communicate to the world?

YOUR COMMITMENT—USE YOUR VOICE TO CHANGE THE WORLD!

 Video: Go high-end if you have the access! Or keep it simple and use a webcam or
smartphone to record your personal commitment. Post it to your YouTube channel
and then post the link and share on our Facebook group

 Photo: Write your commitment on a sign and take a picture of yourself holding your
sign (make sure we can read it). Post to your social media and to our Facebook
group.

44
  Written statement: Post your statement to the Discussion Board and/or Facebook
group.

Outline your public commitment to action in writing below. Then decide how you are
going to share it! An op-ed, a poster, a Facebook post, a tweet, a graphic meme. Be
creative!

I commit to:
Now return to the Course for sharing options and instructions.

Congratulations!
You should be proud of creating this Personal Communication Plan.

Come back to it whenever you want to work further

on your inclusive and effective communication skills.

45