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JTC News + Events

When: September 14, 2023 | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm EST

What: Who is Qualified?: A Transformative Journey to Decode Bias in Recruitment and Retention

At this immersive summit, participants will embark on an intentional roadmap, gaining profound insights into how bias subtly infiltrates our recruitment and retention processes. Through engaging talks, interactive breakout sessions, and a thought-provoking panel session, we'll challenge conventional norms, expose hidden biases, and explore actionable steps to foster more inclusive practices. As a result, you’ll gain practical tools and techniques to revolutionize your approach to diversity recruitment and retention without causing harm or compromising on excellence.

As the eagerly awaited Increase Diversity™ Summit approaches, we are delighted to offer you an exclusive sneak peek into this transformative event. Today's newsletter provides a glimpse of the enlightening discussions we'll be having, focusing on professionalism and its role in shaping a diverse and thriving workforce. Get ready to embark on a journey towards empowerment and inclusive growth.

Have you ever considered that our organizations might be sidelining exceptional candidates because of our entrenched beliefs about professionalism?

How often have we pondered how unseen bias may be significantly affecting our reputation, stifling potential opportunities for growth?

Let’s take a pause for a minute. I want you to close your eyes and picture a “professional.” Then, describe them in detail. What are they wearing? What is their education level? How old are they? What does their hair look like? What is their past work experience?

Did you picture a male, 30 – 45 years old, wearing tailored slacks and a button-down shirt in neutral colors, with clean-cut hair, who’s worked in a corporate setting since he graduated college? You see, we’ve been conditioned to picture professionals in a certain way. And we do the same thing when we read a resume or job application. Our subconscious bias about what is and is not qualified comes into play. We may even look past someone with years of experience simply because they aren’t in our industry.

Unconscious bias remains a persistent obstacle to creating a truly inclusive workplace. It's not just a barrier to inclusivity—it's a potential saboteur in our team dynamics. It can prevent us from filling vital roles and can make some team members feel marginalized because they don't match the traditional expectations of a "fit." Such environments can foster low morale, drive up turnover rates, and erode the foundation of trust necessary for effective collaboration.

Confronting this challenge requires acknowledging the often invisible but potent power of bias. It sneaks into our thoughts, subtly guides our actions, and pervades our decision-making processes. The struggle against bias is constant—it's not something we can dismiss with good intentions. It requires consistent effort, open-mindedness, and a deep understanding of the transformative power of Lived Experience Intelligence™ (LEQ).

The Impact of Lived Experience Intelligence™

LEQ, the wisdom borne from personal experiences, brings a richness and authenticity that can't be replicated. If we truly aim to foster diversity, we must value this intelligence as much as we do professional qualifications and credentials. We need to move beyond mere acceptance of bias, actively work to dismantle it, and incorporate LEQ into our recruitment and retention practices.

Building a diverse workplace goes beyond the hiring process. It's about creating recruitment strategies that attract a broad spectrum of candidates. It's about ensuring these efforts extend to our retention practices, eliminating bias without causing additional harm to underrepresented groups. It's about embracing LEQ to form genuinely inclusive and equitable spaces where every employee's unique perspective is cherished and cultivated.

So, as we seek to redefine professionalism, let's make room for the tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and voices that constitute our workforce. Let's build a culture that sees 'professional' not as a monolith but as a vibrant spectrum of human experiences. But diversity isn't just about bringing different people together—it's about making everyone feel seen, valued, and heard.

Actionable Diversity Recruiting & Retention Strategy

It is with this spirit that we invite you to join the 'Increase Diversity Summit: Who is Qualified? A Transformative Journey to Decode Bias in Recruitment and Retention on September 14. 2023. Let's take this essential step together to understand bias as it affects our recruiting and retention strategy, harness the power of Lived Experience Intelligence™, and rewrite the narrative around professionalism. Your presence at the Summit will not just be a step toward a more inclusive workplace but a leap toward a future where diversity isn't just valued—it's celebrated.

In this one day, virtual Summit, participants will gain:

The ability to skillfully analyze the question of Who is Qualified?, examining bias and its manifestation across six key hiring milestones with precision and insight.
A deep understanding of how to leverage the power of Lived Experience Intelligence™, enabling them to uncover and address bias in hiring and retention programs with remarkable effectiveness.
Proficiency in effectively analyzing data to answer crucial questions, such as: Where are we underrepresented? Who gets ahead, left behind, and why? AND what must we start, stop and continue to do to truly impact diversity and retention in our workplace - without harm.

This conference is for anyone who directly hires or influences hiring, including workplace leaders and executives, DEI practitioners, Recruiters (corporate and agency), Human Resource Teams, Human Resources Managers, Hiring Leaders, and Career Coaches.