Outsmarting Our Own Human Biases

A new UK study suggests that working from home could lead to an increase in racism and other forms of prejudice. The study suggests that these workplace friendships are a key to breaking down misconceptions in our thinking, and building our own understanding of community. Siloed and isolated as many of us are in our home workspaces, weContinue reading “Outsmarting Our Own Human Biases”

Unity In The Midst Of Uniqueness

Regardless of your political leanings, the US election last week resulted in some noteworthy firsts. Included, of course, is Kamala Harris, who became the first woman to be elected Vice-President, as well as the first Black person and first person of South Asian descent to be elected as Vice-President. (You may be surprised to learn –Continue reading “Unity In The Midst Of Uniqueness”

How the “Liminal Space” Of Election Day Can Help Your Team Flourish

On this Election Day in the US, you might experience similar feelings to those seemingly-endless moments following the slow climb of a roller coaster – a mixture of terror, anxiety and guarded excitement as you wonder what’s going to happen next. Regardless of whether you live in the US or not, you might be experiencingContinue reading “How the “Liminal Space” Of Election Day Can Help Your Team Flourish”

What Do Mail-In Ballots Have To Do With Your Teams?

When our mail-in ballots for the 2020 state and presidential election arrived a week or two ago, my wife and I independently had the same reaction. We both try to be informed voters who spend time learning about the candidates and ballot questions before heading to the polls, and we already knew what our optionsContinue reading “What Do Mail-In Ballots Have To Do With Your Teams?”

Banquets & Potlucks In Your Workplace (And In The 2020 Elections!)

Remember the days of large gatherings of people, and sharing food with one another in an enclosed space? Those days may feel like a long time ago, but banquets and potlucks can help us to understand our workplace, and even our larger society. A large proportion of Building Bridges Leadership’s consulting and workshops focuses onContinue reading “Banquets & Potlucks In Your Workplace (And In The 2020 Elections!)”

The Power Of Open-Ended Questions

Bring to mind a recent conversation – in the workplace or elsewhere – that didn’t go as well as you would have liked; that left you, or others, feeling misunderstood, undervalued, or unacknowledged. What kinds of questions (if any!) did you and your conversation partners use? Now bring to mind a conversation that went well;Continue reading “The Power Of Open-Ended Questions”

Be Aware of the Masks You Wear

Masks have become an essential part of life these days. From grocery stores to workplaces, most of us are wearing masks whenever we’re around others (if you’re not, please do!). But of course, there are different kinds of masks, and we have all been wearing masks throughout our life, whether we realize it or not.Continue reading “Be Aware of the Masks You Wear”

Poison Ivy And Privilege

In New England, where I live now, poison ivy is commonplace. But in the UK, where I grew up, there is none. So unlike many New Englanders, I didn’t grow up with regular exposure to poison ivy; nor did I grow up looking out for it, or being able to identify it with a “leavesContinue reading “Poison Ivy And Privilege”

New Discussion Forum for an Authentic, Equitable Workplace

As we all navigate this changing world, the need to support each other with resources, support, best practices, reading recommendations, and a safe space to ask questions has become clearer than ever before. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce our new Facebook group, “Building Bridges – Creating Authentic Community in Your Workplace“.Continue reading “New Discussion Forum for an Authentic, Equitable Workplace”

Engage: How the George Floyd Protests Connect with Your Workplace

This past weekend brought protests across the United States and elsewhere in the world, following George Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis and the systemic racism and white supremacy that his death symbolized – just the latest in a long line of countless examples. While in some locations the police stood in solidarity with theContinue reading “Engage: How the George Floyd Protests Connect with Your Workplace”