Modeling Changes to encourage a strategic plan
Tracy Olson, Director of Human Resources, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital
“I was fascinated by completing the Intercultural Development Inventory. It showed that my optimism, which can often be a positive thing, can also make me want people to be something that they aren’t.”
The Impact? Tracy and other participants approached the Executive Leadership Council to resurrect their Diversity Council. They are modeling changes that is encouraging a strategic plan across the system.
Developing Confidence to Expand Support Services
Gordon Tree Top, Native American Community Leader
“This training with Impact Leadership created open conversations about the things we sometimes look past as not important. It made a lot of us do some self-reflecting to truly understand who we are and how we react or not react to all facets of Diversity.”
“My greatest take away is Confidence. I’m now more confident in approaching difficult conversations about our differences and how we can truly work across those differences in any setting.”
The Impact? Gordon has partnered with the local high school to offer regular study support services with leaders from the American Indian community.
Using Insight gained to Explore Local Solutions
Kia LeGrand, Director of Nursing, Sanford Hospital
“My greatest take-away from working with Naomi and the team is that I am now more self-aware of my reactions to cultural differences and my actions when working with others of a different culture or belief system. I was surprised to learn from the Intercultural Development Inventory that I am more educated than I thought I was going to be. I look forward to continuing to learn more.”
The Impact? Kia and the hospital’s executive director are exploring how to provide basic health education and care at a local plant that employs a global workforce.
Program Expansion Using an Inclusive Offering
Rachel Dix, Executive Director, Homes Are Possible, Inc.
“Through the workshops, coaching and work with the team, I came to realize that I tried to not see ‘color’ in people. I took away people’s skin-tones and made us all BLANK. In my head and heart, I thought I was helping my employees and clients because I wasn’t judging differences, but, I also wasn’t celebrating our uniqueness. Seeing people blankly I thought made me see people fairly. Instead, I was discrediting all of our stories. As a result of what I learned in the serious of workshop, I am now working on ways to acknowledge and celebrate our differences.”
The Impact? Rachel is expanding the Homebuyer Education program to be more inclusive of different cultures taking into account needs such as language and familiarity with home ownership and the mortgage process for Native Americans on Tribal land. The class is also expanding into Aberdeen businesses as part of workforce retention. These efforts broaden the reach of her organization’s mission.
Greater Influence through Understanding
Ioana Hojda, International Programs, Northern State University
“I understand better who I am and how I can use my strengths in an effective way. I am confident that I can become a leader with a multicultural advantage like I observed in our case studies. I now know how to tell my story, how to assert myself with pride and humility.”
The Impact? Ioana has become a leader in partnership with others at the university to champion the voice and educational opportunities for all learners.