Inclusive Leadership Weekly

We all find ourselves in conflict with someone at various times, be it at work, in our marriages, with our friends and family, or with strangers. The way we handle those conversations, and consequently the outcome of those conversations – or shall we say arguments – depends on our mindset, our intention, and the words we choose and the tone of voice we use at the onset of the discussion.
In this talk, Conflict To Conversation: Words Giveth and Words Taketh Away, Judith Weigle shares with you the communication tips she's perfected in divorce mediations over the past 14 years, tips that are applicable in any interaction in which two parties have opposing views.

We invite leaders from all backgrounds to come prepared to challenge assumptions, ask tough questions, and leave with actionable insights to shape a more inclusive future. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect, and expand your leadership practice. ⁠Join us⁠ this Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

The Quiet Deal: Influence Without Pushing” unpacks how non-verbal communication drives perception and decision-making in the workplace. Alice Shikina shows leaders and professionals how to align their body language and presence with their message, ensuring they influence with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

Alice Shikina is a mediator, negotiation coach, international speaker and arbitrator. She also is the author of the play, Okinawa 1945 and Negotiating with Your Kids, both on Amazon. Alice has a theatre background. She has over 20 years of experience as an actress, director, producer and playwright. She uses the skills she learned as an actress in her work as a mediator. Alice enjoys rowing and playing violin in her free time. She lives in Oakland.

We invite leaders from all backgrounds to come prepared to challenge assumptions, ask tough questions, and leave with actionable insights to shape a more inclusive future. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect, and expand your leadership practice. ⁠Join us⁠ on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

This week, we demonstrated how a story triggers the neuro-hormonal response in our body. Empathic resonance is where we connect. We shared stories of our own, discussed how stories play a role in our culture, and explored the way empathy influences our stories.

Arthur “Art” Jones has three decades of experience working in Fortune 100 corporations, startups, and entrepreneurial ventures. His experience as a business strategist and coach allows him to turn narratives into strategies and insights into scalable, high-value services and solutions. His expertise in technology allows him to leverage AI, automation, and digital platforms to create scalable, systemized frameworks for leadership development and business transformation.

Ashok Bhattacharya is the Founder of the Empathy Clinic where empathic capacity of his clients is explored and amplified through the narrative process. A team that practices empathy within that team will produce more with less stress and more pride.

We invite leaders from all backgrounds to come prepared to challenge assumptions, ask tough questions, and leave with actionable insights to shape a more inclusive future. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect, and expand your leadership practice. Join us this Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time

This week, we will cover the foundation pieces of successful change: Change Management, Change Preparation, and Change Enablement. If you struggle with knowing how to systematically and repeatedly kick off change initiatives (personal, professional, small, or large) come learn a simple way to kick off the change with more intentionality and purpose.

Patrick Seaton is a Change Enablement veteran and brain-friendly Sales Coach with close to 30 years working with companies, small businesses, microbusinesses, and solopreneurs in the US and Mexico. His company, Innovative Management Tools, offers companies small group, collaborative problem-solving tools (called Conversation Frameworks) to address 28 common and recurring challenges that impact all altitudes of the company. He also heads New Generation Selling which is dedicated to brain-friendly selling process and coaching tools.

Walk up song: ⁠⁠Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles⁠⁠. Check out the ⁠⁠Inclusive Leadership Playlist⁠⁠.

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

Rooted in the metaphor of the bamboo grove, like the grove that survived Hiroshima, Bamboo to Breakthrough: Strength, Beauty, and Kapwa invites leadership consultants to explore and practice the essential elements of resilient, inclusive leadership. We will gather in the bamboo grove, and through storytelling, visual metaphor, and skill-building practice, we will examine how flexibility, deep-rooted values, and shared humanity (Kapwa) cultivate enduring and endearing connection. The session introduces five presence-based skills that strengthen both individual adaptability and collective resilience in the face of change.

Michelle Batacan Alexander, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, educator, multi-faceted leadership consultant, liturgical musician, with over 40 yrs of experience integrating emotional resilience, expressive arts of music, poetry and storytelling, and trauma-informed care. Founder of Sages Consulting, she specializes in culturally sensitive and grounded approaches to healing and leadership, weaving together psychology, spirituality, and community wisdom.

Walk up song: ⁠Sunshine on My Shoulder⁠. Check out the ⁠Inclusive Leadership Playlist⁠.

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

In this session, we’ll explore how inclusive leadership and high-impact sales both begin with attunement. You’ll learn to recognize when you’re truly BrainSyncing, apply the BRAIN Conversation™ framework, and co-create authentic, meaningful experiences with and for those around you.

Silvia Li is the founder of BrainSells Global and creator of the 5D Selling Revolution™, blending neuroscience with inclusive leadership to transform sales and business development. She has empowered over 5,000 leaders and sales professionals around the world to elevate every exchange, facilitate growth, and unlock deeper human connections that drive sustainable success and breakthrough results.

Walk up song: Defying Gravity. Check out the Inclusive Leadership Playlist.

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

Designing Future Society for Our Lives - Key insights and learnings from Osaka Expo 2025.

Yvonne Burton, Founder and Lead Consultant of Burton Consulting International, delivers Technology and Business Communications consulting and Cross-Cultural Communications services to Japanese firms worldwide and companies doing business with Japan.

Walk-up Song: Big in Japan

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

Through childhood‑icon reflections (think Mr. Rogers) this session helps participants surface their values and practice inclusive leadership. Shared stories and small‑group exchanges equip leaders to bring kindness, curiosity, and psychological safety into virtual spaces.

Eric Ritter is the founder and CEO of Digital Neighbor. He champions democratized leadership that invites every voice, fosters belonging, and drives collective impact—all inspired by Mr. Rogers’ mantra, “be kind, be kind, and be kind”

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

Think of a specific instance where someone shared an experience or perspective that strongly conflicted with your own beliefs, values, or 'common sense.' How did you consciously work to set aside your immediate judgments or impulses to 'fix it,' and instead genuinely seek to understand their reality from their unique point of view, even if you didn't agree with it?" Ashok & Arthur facilitate a splendiferously illuminating conversation.

Ashok Bhattacharya is a psychiatrist, author, speaker, and musician. The focus of his 38 years of work is using the tools of Empathy to turn distress at home or work into harmony. We optimize human connections through empathy. Empathy can turn noise into music when we start listening to each. Ashok will help you find your symphony. Learn more about Ashok here.

Arthur “Art” Jones is a Coach, Narratologist, and AI Humanist who transforms life and leadership narratives into strategies for personal and professional growth. A graduate of Rutgers University and a certified coach from the World Coach Institute, Art brings a unique blend of insight, innovation, and human-centered strategy to every endeavor. Learn more about the Art of Inclusive Leadership here.

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits. 

Emotional Intelligence is an action verb that drives the choices you make. It is not a noun of which there can be too little or too much. Join us as we discuss actual business scenarios and how Emotionally Intelligent choices drive positive outcomes.

Susan Schwartz a practical, results-driven approach to equip professionals with tools to build strong client relationships, communicate effectively, and lead with confidence. She recently published her 2nd book, Creating an EVEN Greater Whole: Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Leader.

Bring your best square and join us for our virtual gathering any Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Register once⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join whenever your schedule permits.