Diversity and inclusion are becoming more and more common in boardrooms, executive suites, and C-suites across the globe. They’ve gone from being merely words or promises to becoming a reality.
These meetings may focus on the company, but it is important to keep in mind that decisions made there affect everyone, from employees to shareholders to the economy. These meetings are highly planned, and follow a set of rules and protocols (such as Robert’s Rules of Order).
Boardrooms are designed to accommodate smaller groups of people. They usually seat up to 20 people around the table, which facilitates face-toface conversation and promotes unity. Furniture of the highest quality, as well in technology, such as teleconferencing capability and advanced audiovisual systems can help create the atmosphere that is essential for effective collaboration.
Discussion boards are an excellent method to engage students and help them comprehend the relationship between classroom learning and external perspectives. To encourage participation by students, instructors can start with icebreakers and questions that allow students to become familiar with their classmates’ responses. For example, Speer at Wichita State asks her students to introduce themselves using a chain of emojis which explain their personal characteristics and passions. Students read the answers of their classmates and then respond. The process of analyzing a discussion by highlighting key ideas and themes also encourages students to follow the entire forum.