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 (73/0)
Let's Be Super Allies: Three Paths to Allyship
When asked if we are an ally for underrepresented groups, most of us would confidently answer, “Yes!” When asked what we’re doing to be an ally to underrepresented groups, however, some of us might falter. And such a reaction is understandable! Discourse surrounding allyship can be complex, especially because most of us are part of more than one community—a cis Black woman, for example, may want to stand up for her trans sisters in the workplace, but isn’t sure where to start, because she knows the misogynoir she experiences isn’t exactly the same as transmisogynoir. The good news is that there are certain roles of allyship that any of us can participate in, and by doing so we begin an ally’s work of making our world a better and more inclusive place. Let’s dig into the three key types of allies, inspired by Karen Catlin’s breakdown:
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Pride
Elevating Inclusion with Five Microaffirmations
Melinda Briana Epler of TED defines microaffirmations as “little ways that [we] can affirm someone’s identity; recognize and validate their experience and expertise; build confidence; develop trust; foster belonging; and support someone in their career.” Because although it is crucial to recognize and combat microaggressions, it is just as important to uplift individuals from marginalized communities through positivity. The blog will explore five key microaffirmations we can implement in our workplaces every day:
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
What Does St. Patrick's Day Have to do With Diversity & Inclusion?
The predominant associations many of us have with St. Patrick’s Day can be summarized as follows: wear green, get drunk, and party! If we aren’t having a good time on March 17th, then we must be celebrating this Irish holiday incorrectly, right?
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in FYI
Three Tips for Managing Conformity Bias
There are over a hundred types of bias in our world, and today we’re going to examine a particularly pervasive one: conformity bias, also known as the bandwagon effect. As the name suggests, this bias involves “jumping on the bandwagon,” i.e. when we choose to do something not because we personally agree but rather because everyone else is doing it. Here’s a classic example: let’s say I’m at a restaurant, and I’d like to order dessert, but the three friends I’m eating with all refuse. As a result, I refuse, too, not because I decided I don’t actually want that delicious slice of chocolate cake, but because everyone else turned it down!
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
Three Tips for Having Political Discussion in the Workplace
She stood up, tension riddling her shoulders, and began voicing perspectives all but identical to my own. It was clear from the first few sentences that she and I had near-identical political beliefs and values, and yet the more she spoke, the more I found myself feeling uncomfortable and pulling away from her words.
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
DEI Anecdotes: Inclusion vs Exclusion
I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that all of us want to be included. What’s more human than the desire to feel loved and wanted? In all my work around the world, I have never met someone who did not seek to feel included. A crucial part of this inclusion, however, is opening ourselves up to including others. Multiple times have I seen people claiming to support inclusive practices before following it with a stipulation: “I support inclusion of everyone except…”
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
Tips for Implementing DEI Beyond HR Initiatives
When I hear someone say “DEI,” my mind jumps to HR departments, from countering bias in the hiring process to increasing retention of diverse employees. However, the focus on DEI should go beyond HR—after all, humans constitute every department in the workplace. From Procurement to Marketing, there are always people behind decisions, and for that reason, DEI is crucial across the board in organizations. Today, then, I will be exploring a variety of tips and tricks for departments beyond HR to implement DEI in their daily practices. Although this list is not comprehensive in covering all DEI possibilities for every non-HR department, I hope it offers us a strong place to start when considering the value of DEI beyond Human Resources. What are we waiting for? Let’s dive in!
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
Business and Ballet: What the Corporate World Can Learn From DEI in Dance
When most of us think of ballet, our minds may jump to its beauty as an art form or the skill and dedication it requires to be successful. I’ll wager a guess that many of us might not consider all of the DEI lessons to be learned from ballet!
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
Start Learning About Conformity Bias to Stop Conforming
Picture this: you’re standing in front of an elevator. You send a text message, putting your phone away once you hear the familiar ding! The low creak of doors sliding open follows. You look up, ready to step inside, but—
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Longevity
Thrive in Every Economic Trend with DEI
Nowadays, concerns of an upcoming recession are impossible to avoid. Many organizations are taking preventative measures to protect themselves when this economic downturn ultimately hits. Recessions can be frightening, no doubt, but every economic low will eventually soar into an economic high, and a business may even find themself thriving like they never have before. But how do we first make it through these difficult economic times?
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal
The Exclusive Impact of Being "The Only"
Have you ever experienced being “the only” person in a room? And I don’t mean literally, though I suspect we’ve all experienced that, too. Rather, have you ever felt like you were surrounded by people who simply didn’t understand you, or who didn’t connect with you? I would bet that most of us here have experienced this quiet social isolation. As a result, many of us can understand and empathize with this particular workplace phenomenon: being the “Only.”
By Dima Ghawiabout a year ago in Journal