Say Yes to Diversity!
Transcript of Say Yes to Diversity!
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Say Yes to Diversity!What can improv comedy teach
us about embracing the “Big
Tent”
Toni Halleen, Esq.
Schaefer Halleen LLC
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Definition of DIVERSITY
•plural diversities•1: the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : VARIETY; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization•2: an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities : an instance of being diverse a diversity of opinion
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How are we different at
MWL?• Our age, race, religion, etc., but also…
• Practice areas/ stage in career
• Locations and clientele
• Size of our offices or practices
• Approaches and strategies
• Communication styles and preferences
• Comfort zones and boundaries
• Values and definitions of success…
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We have in common?• We are women or concerned about
women
• We are human beings
• We work in and around the legal profession
• We desire a Big Tent
• We want to be understood
• We value our differences and we embrace diversity
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Using The “Tools of Improv”can help us embrace diversity
• Trust yourself; trust your instincts
• Say “yes” first; be open to change
• Turn your questions into information
• When you’re stuck, move
• Listen, watch and concentrate
• Give your best
• Be clear; seek understanding
• Give and take
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Trust yourself;
trust your instincts
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Trust Your Instincts
• The power of trust
• Trust yourself, and trust that you will be able, what you have is good
• You can learn to be uninhibited in your thinking, to be more creative and use your knowledge
• Being trustworthy; being inclusive
• The Big Tent of ideas, are welcome
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Say “yes”
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Say “Yes”
• Instead of jumping to criticize or reject the ideas of others (and your own), try saying “yes” first
• Starting with “yes,” you can increase creativity and build on ideas
• The impulse to say “no” blocks expansiveness of ideas and creates a barrier to trust
• Say yes to those who are different
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Ways to Say “Yes”
• “Say more about that”
• “What would that be like”
• “How can I help”
• “Let’s explore further”
• “How would that work”
• “Keep talking”
• “How might we overcome”
• Use your experience to add solutions
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Turn questions into information
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Questions are Good
-Find the instinct at the base of a
question
• By practicing to convert your questions into statements, you
– learn to trust your instincts, and
– gain access to your ideas/experience
– that allows you to help others
• Answer your question with an offer
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When you get stuck, move!
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When Stuck, “Move”
• Literally, and figuratively… move
• Often the body can lead the brain –follow it!
• You can learn to unblock your brain with movement, and you can use your nervousness to gain creativity
• Taking action creates momentum
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Listen, watch and concentrate – Be here now
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Listen, Concentrate
• Be aware of the many sources of information – verbal and non-verbal
• Pay attention to what is being said and happening around you
• When you pay attention, you increase your ability to connect to and react to what is going on
• Listening to those who are different leads to understanding
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Listening Preferences
• Story, emotions, humor, interest
• Structure, map, chronology
• Interesting vocabulary or unique words
• Complex or simple language
• Grammar and sentence structure, attitude and “voice”
• Length and brevity
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What do we listen for?
Facts
Feelings
The Point
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Give your best
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Give Your Best• Be generous with what you have to
offer• Make others look good and we all
succeed• Project your best and highest
intelligence• Avoid the easy way out; train your
brain to use your best instincts• Expect the best out of others, and
always give your best
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Be clear
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Be Clear
• Be specific; clarify; seek understanding
• Don’t assume everyone else sees things the way you do
• Be open to others seeing things very differently, and try to see it that way, too
• Give clear information to avoid misunderstanding/feelings of exclusion
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Give and take
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Give and Take
• Seek balance in giving and receiving
• Challenge yourself and share
• Be aware of how much you are talking and leading, vs. listening and following
• Recognize that others have valuable ideas and abilities
• Welcome leadership from others
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Using the “Tools of Improv”
• The power of trust & trustworthiness
• Be ready for change and adapt
• Say “yes” and stay open
• Take action to avoid being stuck
• Listen, concentrate, be here now
• Be clear and seek understanding
• Give your best: help others succeed
• The balance of give and take
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Say YES to DiversityMinnesota Women Lawyers