Schedule SWARM 2024

Speaker: Victoria Cumberbatch

☝🏾 *Authenticity in leadership paves the way for trust, respect, conscious collaboration, self improvement and stellar communication.*

In the workplace, being a conscious leader is simple, yet not easy. Authenticity often takes risking courage, psychological safety, trust, belonging, and solid relationship foundations in order to progress forward in each of these areas. It ain’t easy, but it is simple. HR teams have been working tirelessly, hoping they can curate a culture of belonging, inclusivity, and honesty in the workplace. My view is that YOU and I need to take some onus in this leveling up of the employment culture by doing the personal work necessary to improve the space.

In this workshop, we will discuss ways of being that directly correlate to an improved work culture, like authenticity, worth, belonging and why they’re vital. **We will discover ways to take back our seats at the table, the art of giving & receiving feedback, as well as a format for how to have hard conversations**.

In a survey of 6,725 people in 2021, some interesting stats were revealed: 71% felt more confident at work & 35% felt better about themselves when they were authentic at work, 53% felt their work impact was in building stronger relationships when they were authentic, 44% and 43% felt their work impact was less productive & less creative respectively when not employing authenticity.

A study on the importance of authenticity in the workplace performed by the Simmons University Inst. for Inclusive Learning found this as their bottom line, “Our study on authenticity in the workplace clearly shows that it’s good for organizations to cultivate cultures where both managers and team members are able to show up as their real selves. Over time, these organizations benefit from increased team loyalty, job satisfaction, and productivity.”

We will find ways to stretch yourself into unleashing how to be the authentic and honorable leader that you can choose to be. This is a small portion of a potentially larger, multi hour workshop that can always be discussed at a later date.

Speaker: Sasmini Bandara

Sasmini’s presentation, “Building Inclusive and Purposeful Communities in the Australia Pacific Ecosystem: Lessons from the World,” explores the nuanced challenges and unique opportunities presented by the Australia-Pacific region’s diverse cultural landscape. This region, rich in multicultural communities, stands at a critical juncture where inclusivity is not just a value but a fundamental pillar for sustainable community development.

Drawing upon global best practices, the presentation will delve into how various communities worldwide have successfully navigated the complexities of inclusivity, offering valuable lessons for the Australia-Pacific ecosystem. The focus will be on adapting these global insights to the local context, highlighting the importance of cultural sensitivity, engagement strategies, and policy frameworks that resonate with local communities.

The core of this presentation revolves around a comprehensive framework designed to guide community builders in creating more inclusive environments. This framework, enriched by global case studies and tailored to the specific needs of the Australia-Pacific region, will provide actionable strategies for fostering a sense of belonging, promoting equitable participation, and ensuring that communities are purpose-driven.

Sasmini’s presentation will underscore the transformative potential of building inclusive communities. By adopting a global perspective while navigating local nuances, community builders in the Australia-Pacific region can lead the way in creating spaces where diversity is celebrated and every member feels valued and engaged.