Dima Ghawi
Bio
Dima is an award-winning author and a three-time TEDx Speaker. Through keynote speeches, workshops, training programs, and executive coaching, she has honed a keen expertise in developing leaders to meet the demands of the global workforce.
Stories (69/0)
Re-Branding DEI to "A Culture of Kindness"
DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion. For some, these words cause immense resistance, striking discomfort, fear, and even anger into them! How can we implement DEI and avoid this knee-jerk reaction of resistance? After all, many people—even if they oppose DEI as a project—are not opposed to DEI’s core idea: kindness. So, what can we do with this information?
By Dima Ghawi2 months ago in Pride
Call Me Woke — I Call DEI Good Business
2023 has seen an extreme amount resistance to DEI, and many companies that are supporting DEI are facing backlash for their advertisements and products. Chick-fil-A, too, recently faced negative backlash simply for having a DEI page on their website, with people accusing them of “going woke” and demanding boycotts. One person even suggested DEI was antithetical to Chick-fil-A’s Christian values.
By Dima Ghawi2 months ago in Journal
Three Tips for Applying Sales Strategies for DEI Advocacy
In my work as a DEI consultant, I have witnessed other DEI coaches and trainers stand at the front of a room full of white men and begin their presentation by discussing racial privilege. Don’t get me wrong—white privilege is real and important to acknowledge during any in-depth discussion of DEI! However, to start a discussion about DEI using white privilege risks losing this group in the first breath, leaving everyone unsatisfied. At the end of the day, we want to sell the concept of DEI, winning not just the minds but also the hearts of individuals! And what better way to achieve this goal than by importing a few sales tactics into our DEI regimens?
By Dima Ghawi2 months ago in Journal
Six Areas of Focus for Beginning Your Organization's DEI Journey
In my work as a DEI consultant, I have witnessed a range of organizations express a desire to begin the DEI journey and make their workplaces more inclusive to all. The first problem that presents itself is simple: where to start?
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Journal
What Does the "Rule of Thumb" Have to do with DEI?
The English language is full of phrases that have been passed down for generations, many of which to the point where we can no longer recall their origin. Or perhaps we can, but we simply don’t associate the phrase with its origin anymore!
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Pride
Let's Give Each Other Grace
I have a confession to make. I am terrible at learning people’s names. I’ve struggled with it ever since I was a child! I’d come home from school on the first day of the semester, smiling brightly about having met my new teacher, and my mom would ask, “What was her name?”
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Pride
Are You Not a Big Fan of DEI?
I’ll be the first to admit that “diversity and inclusion” has become a buzzword. Where “diversity” should invoke the innate beauty of our world and “inclusion” should suggest a welcoming, warm environment, hearing “diversity and inclusion” or “DEI” causes some people to shut down in a blink. But here’s the truth: even people who are not fans of DEI almost certainly still believe that all individuals have dignity and worth! As such, today I want to walk through strategies a person who does not support DEI initiatives can take to still be inclusive and respectful of others.
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Journal
What to do When Your Organization Doesn't Support DEI
After many of my most recent workshops, I have had person after person reach out to me with the same anxiety: “The company I work at isn’t truly prioritizing DEI,” they tell me. For some, this means their organization is all talk and no walk. For others, it means their company states outright that they are uninterested in pursuing DEI. Regardless, all who reach out to me confess the following: “I’m a minority at this organization. I feel like they aren’t making an effort to include me. What should I do?”
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Journal
Empower Board of Directors by Addressing Implicit Biases
My blog is no stranger to discussing the role of boards of directors in DEI, including the specifics of how they can facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Today, I want to hone in on a more specific topic: what biases are most likely to appear during meetings of boards of directors? After all, board members are as susceptible to unconscious bias as the rest of us! Let’s walk through five of the most common:
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Journal
Challenging Conformity in Meetings
When it comes to conformity bias, it is easy to observe it in meetings. After all, the idea of sharing a different opinion or—dare I say it—challenging individuals with authority may intimidate even the most fearless! How can we manage this bias and stand against the status quo? Fortunately, I propose there is a simple solution to addressing this problem of conformity: start by asking five questions.
By Dima Ghawi3 months ago in Journal
Tips for Managing Up
Small and large scale businesses focus on leadership development--spending more than 14 billion dollars a year on training and coaching their management team. However, these resources are often devoted to training for managing down. We don’t often discuss managing up and the importance of having influence over our managers. A recent McKinsey study found that managing up was “50% more important than managing subordinates for business success and well over twice as important for career success” (McKinsey). In this blog, we’re going to share with you five tips to more effectively manage up and influence your manager.
By Dima Ghawi4 months ago in Journal
