In C-suites and boardrooms all over the globe In the C-suites and boardrooms of all countries, diversity and inclusion are rapidly changing from slogans and promises to reality.
While these conversations may be focused on the company itself, it’s important to remember that the decisions made in these rooms impact everyone involved, from the employees of the company, to shareholders who own the shares, to the wider economy. With this in mind these meetings are typically extremely structured and adhere to a set of rules (such as Robert’s Rules of Order) and protocols to ensure that the meeting is conducted properly.
Boardrooms are usually designed to accommodate a small number of people, typically seating 8 to 20 people around a central table that facilitates face-to-face discussions and creates the feeling of unity. High-end furniture and technology, such as advanced audiovisual systems and teleconferencing capabilities can help create the ideal environment for productive collaboration.
Discussion boards are an effective way to involve students in discussions that extend beyond the classroom and help students to understand how different perspectives are a part of the learning experience in the classroom. Instructors could begin by asking for icebreakers to make students comfortable with the responses of their peers. For example, Speer at Wichita State asks her students to introduce themselves using a chain of emojis that describe their personality and their interests. Students then read and respond to their peers‘ answers. Students are motivated to pay attention to the entire discussion if you summarize the discussion and highlight the key concepts and themes.
