Permission: Granted Speaker Series
After years of conversations and consultations, research and interviews regarding Diversity & Inclusion – I’ve learned that companies don’t have diversity problems, they have people problems. For too long diversity has been blamed for loss of productivity, discrimination and a litany of other workplace faux pas but diversity has never been the issue, it can’t be – people and their BS are the problem.
I solve people problems NOT diversity problems!
What I have also gleaned from over 20 years in business is that these so-called “diversity” issues come from a term I’ve coined called Bias Synapse, easily remembered as BS. You know the problem. Getting rid of the BS is the answer.
Speaker/Training Series
Permission: Granted to Get Rid of Your BS
Whether implicit or conscious, bias is the number one threat to humanity and any company’s success. If your company’s goal is to create cohesiveness within your organization, increase revenue, be innovative and/or elevate your reputation-the bias in your workforce and community is a roadblock. You know the problem. Permission::Granted is your answer.
Throughout this session, Risha allows attendees to express their biases, while giving them easily applicable tools to get over them, however screwed up they may be. Although diversity can often be an uncomfortable topic, Risha’s approach helps attendees to understand the concept, without feeling bored or judged.
Attendees will leave this conversation with:
- An understanding of Diversity & Inclusion
- A thorough awareness of his/her biases
- A realization of how his/her biases originated
- A recognition of the symptoms and results of bias
- Tools to address bias internally and externally
- Tips to navigate bias in the workplace
Permission: Granted to Build an Inclusive Culture
Building an inclusive culture is imperative to business success. Learn the keys to creating a culture that welcomes all employees, boosts retention and productivity. During this talk, Risha shares applicable tips and strategies to take your company’s culture to the next level.
Seminar includes:
- Keys to attract and retain top diverse talent
- Strategies to showcase how an inclusive culture provides a competitive advantage
- Stuff she thinks is important (that you should write down) as you establish your inclusive culture
Permission: Granted to Attract Diverse Markets
Companies need to know how to get diverse customers to buy their products and services. Why?
Because business sustainability, competitive advantage, a constantly changing economy and trillions in buying power. During this session, Risha will share with attendees the keys to effectively engage various diverse groups and provide them with tips to create a diversity communications strategy for their company.
Attendees will leave this seminar understanding how to:
- Create a successful diversity communications plan of action
- Communicate to diverse audiences
- Market to diverse groups vs. mainstream audiences
The Permission: Granted Program is tailored to fit a variety of topics and lengths. It can be customized as a keynote speech, half-day or full day workshop to take an in-depth look at multiple topics.
Contact me to start planning your custom Permission: Granted program.
Attendees have had this to say…
(I need) To recognize my own biases and be direct yet kind about calling people out who make insensitive or biased remarks.
Diversity & Inclusion training can be interactive; it doesn’t have to be boring.
The most important thing that I learned was a better understanding of personal biases.
Excellent training.
I would recommend this seminar to other agencies.
Presenter did a good job dealing with sensitive topics.
Should be mandatory training.
This class was very educational.
What attendees like best…
Discussions on bias
The speaker’s passion
The required interaction with others
Stories about the speaker’s own biases
The class participation was fun. Risha’s real-life examples using her own family was great and helped to make the class relevant to real life.
The facilitator was knowledgeable and the length of the class was just right.
The interaction between the speaker and the group.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Need more info on the Speaking Series?
DIVERSITY TRAINING IS BORING…
UNTIL YOU EXPERIENCE PERMISSION: GRANTED
I see myself as a people consultant who refocuses the conversation on what has been forgotten–humanity. Some say, “Who cares as long as employees come to work and do their job?” I say, “You better care because biases don’t politely wait outside when employees enter the workplace.” These internal issues can slow down productivity, stagnate innovation and tear down communities – not to mention the hundreds of thousands companies pay in lawsuits every year.
It’s time to get comfortable discussing the uncomfortable
All of our thoughts and feelings stem from our life experiences. A subject like bias is fine if our feelings are labeled “acceptable” by society, but often that’s not the case, which leaves us to feel guilty or uncomfortable. We can either resolve to keep our feelings to ourselves or confront them and gain understanding.
I recommend door No. 2.
My simple solution is Permission: Granted. This PG tool is simple and powerful but cuts deep because it requires your honesty and commitment. It might even require a little discomfort but you have to give yourself permission to feel, think and express your feelings with the goal to work through your biases.
Testimonials
“The American Staffing Association was thrilled to have Risha Grant as a break-out presenter at Staffing World 2019 and she knocked it out of the park! Attendees shared that Risha was energetic and her content was thought provoking. Her engaging storytelling talent and expertise in D&I will bring great value to any adult learner forum. She prepared well for our audience and delivered and provoked as promised! It was a pleasure working with Shannyn and Risha.”
“Risha did a fabulous job reminding us that everyone needs “to be the change” in understanding diversity and inclusion in order to affect a long-term, organizational cultural change. She reminded us the starting point is for people is to “unpack your boxes” and look at how they deal with bias. She provided us with a great introduction to a very important issue that requires our attention. I highly recommend her to any business or district looking to have someone who genuinely connects with her audience and knows how to read a community.”
“Risha’s presentation was absolutely amazing and insightful. She captivated the audience and challenged us as HR Professionals to look at what diversity and inclusion really means. We truly appreciate her extraordinary and heartfelt impactful message. Keep up the great work!”
“Risha knocked it out of the park at our industry conference. She brought a ton of energy to the presentation and she got everyone in the room to come face to face with their own bias, which was amazing to watch. There wasn’t a person in the room staring at their phones. That told me she got their attention and they were really thinking about what she was saying. I highly recommend Risha and her message for any business or industry dealing with bias and needing more diversity.”
“Risha was wonderful today! She received a standing ovation and was the perfect speaker to wrap up our conference!”
“We recently had Risha Grant at our 2019 NICA Conference in Sun Valley; we brought Risha as part of our DEI initiative. That sounds like “checking a box.” Far from it. Risha exceeded our expectations and was remarkable, relevant and thought-provoking in her ability to move our initiative from concept to personal transformation with humor along the way. Risha’s warm and real approach touched our audience by connecting her experience, tools, insight, and inspiration into the hearts of our audience for an ultimate change, impact, and influence. Bravo to Risha.”
You were amazing and left me walking back to my desk feeling so great, spirit completely lifted and made me view things so differently, you are truly a person I will continue to follow and look up to. It was a great experience and you helped me not to be afraid to have a voice.! Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge, stories, and just everything!
“We recently had Risha speak at our annual Women’s Leadership Forum and she was phenomenal! She kept attendees engaged, challenging others to confront their own biases while also sharing her own raw and personal experience and biases. She was authentic in every aspect of the word and a true pleasure to work with!”
Speaking Engagements
