Mathabane Diversity Training

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Mathabane Diversity Training

Program Title:
The Power of Ubuntu: Unleashing Human Potential

Mark Mathabane,
Speaker and Facilitator

An upbeat, positive, high-impact approach to diversity that has been compressed to accommodate the schedules of busy corporate executives and managers.

This Diversity Training Program comes in three formats:

1. Short session (1.5 hours)
2. Half-day session (3 hours)
3. Full-day session (6 hours)

Program Goals

This unique program combines diversity training with motivational lessons to facilitate positive change -- to strengthen teamwork, enhance mutual respect among colleagues, improve communication through increased empathy and understanding, and unleash the human potential of every individual who participates in the program. Participants leave the program with a deeper understanding of themselves and confident that they can find common ground with anyone they encounter, regardless of skin color, gender, social background, native language, title or level in the organization.

The program is made up of thought-provoking exercises, break-out sessions, group discussions and talks by Mathabane that revolve around nine simple truths about Ubuntu. To illustrate these truths and how they have helped him, Mathabane draws on stories from his life under apartheid South Africa, where he had to overcome insurmountable obstacles to achieve his dreams.

The Seven Truths of Ubuntu:

1. No one is an island. To be fully human, we must
      recognize and affirm the humanity of every person
      we meet.
2. Never pre-judge someone. Take the initiative to
      get to know them without preconceptions.
3. Your attitude toward your work and your relationships at work are
     what bring them meaning.
4. Look at yourself differently and you'll find you perceive others
     differently as well.
5. Find the good and see the potential in every person, starting with yourself.
6. Role models and mentors come in unexpected forms.
7. Leadership grows out of your force of character and your vision.
8. Never complain that people don't understand you. It's your
     responsibility to make yourself understood.
9. No one who feels fulfilled and empowered has time to put others
    down or hold them back.

Life's Hurdles
Rising above the hurdles life throws across our path is a constant challenge. Some days we may face only one or two hurdles. Other days we may face so many we start to believe we won't make it to the finish line. Each hurdle takes time, discipline and mental fortitude to overcome. Some people face more hurdles than others. They may face hurdles placed in their way by people who don't believe they can do the job, who think they aren't the right gender, the right race, the right age, the right height or the right weight. The solution is not to lower the hurdles by lowering standards, but to work harder as a team to surmount them. Sometimes all we need to get over a hurdle is some advice or words of encouragement from a colleague. By working together, understanding the obstacles every person on the team faces, and helping each other over come them, more of us can reach our goals.

Globalization
Today's workplace in increasingly global in nature. Multinational companies face the challenge of bringing together people from all over the world -- who have unique beliefs, customs, languages, religions and ideas -- and putting them together on one team with shared goals. Co-workers may differ in their mastery of English, in their work habits, in their communications styles, and in a variety of other ways. Having grown up in South Africa, Mathabane shares unique insights into the challenges faced by foreigners in America and the challenges we all face in communicating well across racial and ethnic lines.

For available dates and pricing, please contact Diana West at 704-698-2868 or by e-mail at lectures@mathabane.com

Mark Mathabane's Bio
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