We help organizations, teams and people thrive by building on their strengths and assets.
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEIJ) consulting approach balances information gathering with action, and couples individual reflection with collaborative processing, education, and decision making to drive measurable results.
organizational
analysis
The goal of the organizational analysis phase is to deeply understand your organization and identify ways to operate more equitably and in alignment with DEIJ-informed values. Our experience indicates that because “white supremacy is not a shark; it is the water” (ref. Kyle "Guante" Tran Myhre), we must interrogate implicit bias and structural racism on a deeper level than simply the words written in documents and stated in meetings.
The process can include gathering employee feedback using a combination of surveys, facilitated discussions, and one-on-one interviews. In addition, HGV leverages existing data as much as possible - this might include previous surveys, exit interviews, strategic plans, and other documents that reflect employee thoughts, feedback, or consensus on priorities and/or organizational values. Our team provides a detailed analysis of organizational processes, structures, and procedures accompanied with recommendations that lead to organizational transformation. Our recommendations are not simply words on paper. Throughout our engagement, we model best practices and share tools that democratize participation, cultivate vulnerability, make space for reflection, foster dialogue across difference, and that lead to culture shifts.
leadership
development training
We have an extensive library of “out of the box” trainings and webinars, built on more than 10 years of experience teaching and training. We also design and develop customized workshops for affinity groups, leaders, and teams. Typically, the assessment phase informs what tools, skills, and other knowledge clients might need to understand and apply principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in business processes and delivery of programs and services. Training recommendations are typically included in the assessment process, with specific objectives to be developed based on that process. We also find that scheduling one to two initial trainings (prior to the assessment process) can help close knowledge or skills gaps while also acknowledging that change and personal development takes time.
facilitation and
team building
We are expert facilitators. We work with leaders to cultivate a reflective culture combining personal self-reflection, dialogue across difference, and collaborative decision making processes. We facilitate team and staff meetings, intergroup dialogue sessions, retreats, focus groups and listening sessions, workshops and more.
Our facilitation team designs and holds an intentional container, offering thoughtful and thought-provoking prompts, and bringing informational content to expand staff thinking and push growth. We engage teams in a process of deep reflection paired with continuous adaptation and learning.
Our approach to this work is also informed by a modeling approach, which provides real-time insight and support for the client to continue utilizing these relationship deepening and consensus building practices after the engagement is over.
To support holistic transformation, we facilitate experiential reflection opportunities. Since 2020, HGV has been doing this work almost exclusively in a virtual format. We find that use of tools such as Zoom, JamBoard, EasyRetro, and others provides a multi-modal structure, which ensures active participation of individuals with different preferences, comfort levels, styles, and skill sets. Our facilitation work is engaging, liberating, and transformative.
coaching and advising
As our clients begin to implement improvements in processes and practices, engaging a coach is critical to successfully making changes to organizational culture and processes. Our coaches serve as accountability mechanisms, provide feedback and strategic guidance on the development and refinement of business processes.
Individual coaching could be made available to established leadership, emerging leaders, or select staff members to facilitate targeted individual skill development. We understand and work across senior leadership teams, boards, and staff to create a shared language and understanding of identity, power and privilege in order to communicate effectively and work across difference. Our holistic approach ensures buy-in and drives alignment on strategy.
values articulation
and norms development
We work with staff, board members, external stakeholders and any relevant subcommittees to create a unified set of organizational values. Your mission is your purpose; the vision speaks to the future - what your organization hopes to achieve or the changes you seek to make. Values are the ways of being or believing that we hold most important (Brene Brown). Our core values highlight what we stand for. Values guide our behaviors, decisions, and action (Scott Jeffrey). Operationalizing values includes the creation of norms - the way we agree to show up in a space together. We have developed a model to ensure buy-in; to codify and articulate values that can apply to engaging externally with partners and funders; and apply to how staff, board, and volunteers engage with each other; and that are inclusive of any explicit commitment to JEDI principles.
