Inclusive Leadership

Facilitate a Positive Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

According to Harvard Business Review’s The Key to Inclusive Leadership, although there are many factors that affect how people feel included, such as an organization’s mission, policies, and practices, the biggest influence is from what leaders say and do. So how can we as individuals impact our organizational culture? One important way is to demonstrate visible awareness of bias. In this seminar, by employing a research-based approach, you will learn how to facilitate a positive culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Upcoming course dates

Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 12:30-3:00pm PT
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 12:30-3:00pm PT

Benefits of attending this online course

By the end of this seminar, you will be able to:

• Identify and discuss different types of implicit or unconscious biases.
• Examine how implicit or unconscious biases influence attitudes and behaviors at work.
• Use research-based strategies that reduce the influence of implicit biases (reducing discrimination); enable improved decision-making processes; and bolster individual, team, and organizational outcomes.
• Communicate thoughtfully about diversity topics to build a positive, inclusive culture within your team and your organization.

Inclusive Leadership content overview

Research suggests that all employees thrive when their leaders emphasize multiculturalism and create inclusive workplace cultures. However, leaders’ implicit or unconscious associations can sometimes negatively influence their attitudes and behaviors, creating unintended, negative consequences for diverse employees, and undermining both the organization’s DE&I goals and its financial performance. We will discuss how organizational leaders and supervisors can systematically utilize decision-making tactics that will help build an inclusive culture that leads to overall success.

In this seminar, we will address:

• Definition of and research on implicit biases
  • Research-based outcomes in the workplace
• Diversity Inclusion Case discussion
• Strategies to intervene when you witness bias-related events
• Inclusion tips
  • Communication to workgroup members – and what communications are most effective
  • Base decisions on quantitative information – helping to remove bias
  • Transparency regarding diversity goals—increasing the likelihood of achieving those goals
  • Design accountability mechanisms – for each level of the organization

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate

This course is offered on its own or as part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate. Learn more.

Registration and Fees

Program fee includes instruction and learning materials. Payment must be made by credit card or UW budget transfer prior to the program. Discounts are not applicable to UW Executive Education online classes. It is strongly encouraged that you register early as space is limited. See cancellation policies.

Faculty

Elizabeth Umphress, Ph.D.
Dr. Umphress is a Professor of Management, the William D. Bradford Endowed Professor, and the Faculty Director of the Consulting and Business Development Center at the University of Washington. She has been teaching negotiation strategies to executives since 2003. In addition to negotiations, Dr. Umphress specializes in teaching executives strategic communications, ethical leadership, and organizational leadership. She has won numerous teaching awards, including teacher of the year for the evening MBA program and being recognized as a Star Teacher every year since she has taught at UW. Dr. Umphress also has extensive consulting experience, and has worked with companies such as NASA, Citigroup, and Lockheed Martin.

Logistics and practical info

Like our in-person courses, online courses from Executive Education are designed and led by Foster School faculty and taught using the same evidence-based research and application. Students will participate in discussions, breakout sessions, and direct interactions with our faculty. Courses are conducted via Zoom, which facilitates real-time interface between students and faculty via webcam and text-based chat.

Two weeks prior to the live class session, you will receive information about any pre-readings, assignments, or case studies that need to be completed before class.

In addition to the faculty, each course has an assigned Program Manager who will provide guidance throughout the course.