TRAINING & PROGRAMS
Own Your Cultural Diversity Program
MindTribes’ Own Your Cultural Diversity (OYCD) Program is a career management initiative designed to support individuals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds in navigating barriers to their professional advancement. This program welcomes participants at all career stages, leadership levels, and from all genders and sexual orientations. A unique feature of OYCD is the inclusion of allies and advocates, selected by participants, to influence more inclusive hiring, development, and promotion processes.
What is the Own Your Cultural Diversity Program?
The Own Your Cultural Diversity Program is a comprehensive career development initiative aimed at empowering racially and ethnically diverse individuals to overcome barriers in their professional journeys. The program focuses on equipping participants with the skills, confidence, and strategies needed to navigate and mitigate biases and systemic obstacles. By integrating the support of allies and advocates, OYCD fosters a more inclusive and supportive environment for career progression.
Australia’s current census reveals that 51.5% of Australians come from first and second-generation migrant backgrounds, including individuals from refugee and asylum seeker families. Despite high workforce participation and representation of 30-50% of racially and ethnically diverse people in various sectors, 9 out of 10 leaders in Australia are of Anglo & European heritage. This disparity highlights the need for targeted programs like OYCD to support the advancement of diverse talent and promote equitable opportunities within workplaces.
OUR APPROACH
How does MindTribes deliver the Own Your Cultural Diversity Program?
Our approach to the Own Your Cultural Diversity Program includes:
Comprehensive Sessions
The program involves 10 sessions, each 90 minutes long, delivered virtually over 10 months. Alternatively, it can be run in 5 sessions, each 2 hours long, with engagement events in between.
Community of Practice
Participants operate as a community of practice, led by MindTribes’ facilitators, ensuring ongoing support and shared learning experiences.
Interactive Learning
Each session is delivered in 30-minute sprints, incorporating best practice tools and models, active application discussions, and individual commitments to action.
Proven Success
Since 2017, the program has supported over 1,000 racially and ethnically diverse individuals in advancing their careers.
Expected outcomes
Career Advancement
Enhanced career progression for racially and ethnically diverse participants through targeted support and strategies
Increased Confidence
Participants gain confidence in their cultural diversity and learn to leverage their lived experiences as valuable assets
Stronger Networks
Development of a robust network of allies and advocates who actively support and promote participants’ career growth
Why MindTribes?
MindTribes’ approach to the Own Your Cultural Diversity Program leverages our extensive experience and expertise in DEI. Our evidence-based methods ensure that participants are equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive real change within their organisations. We combine academic insights with practical, real-world solutions to provide comprehensive and impactful training.
From our extensive consulting experience, we understand the challenges and risks Australian organisations typically face. We have partnered with a wide range of clients, across Government (state, federal and local), Not for Profits (NFP)/charities and from SME’s to ASX Top 20 companies, multinationals and educational institutions, empowering them to build inclusive and culturally competent workplaces.
Case Study
A leading beverages company based in Australasia partnered with MindTribes to launch the Mosaic Program, aimed at supporting CALD employees in navigating cultural biases and enhancing their professional growth. The program was designed to provide participants with the tools and confidence needed to turn their cultural identity into a professional strength.
The Mosaic Program involved a series of interactive sessions that focused on rediscovering cultural identity, identifying and overcoming barriers, and setting and achieving career goals. Participants engaged in activities that promoted self-awareness and practical strategies for professional development. This approach helped employees recognize the value of their diverse backgrounds and learn how to use their unique perspectives to their advantage.
The Mosaic Program had a transformative impact on both the participants and the organization. Employees reported a renewed sense of confidence and empowerment, feeling more comfortable expressing their cultural identity in the workplace. By identifying and addressing both self-imposed and external barriers, participants were better equipped to navigate challenges and pursue their career aspirations. The program also fostered greater cultural awareness within the organization, promoting a more inclusive workplace culture. Senior leaders’ involvement in the program bridged the gap between CALD employees and leadership, creating a more supportive and equitable environment.
The Own Your Cultural Diversity Program, implemented through the organisation’s Mosaic initiative, successfully empowered CALD employees to embrace their cultural identities and advance their careers. By addressing cultural biases and providing practical tools for professional development, the program contributed to a more inclusive and dynamic workplace. For more information on how the Own Your Cultural Diversity Program can benefit your organization, please contact MindTribes today.
Call For A Consultation
Enquire about our Own Your Cultural Diversity Program today
