Your Workplace Conference 2009 Summary

We spend more waking hours at work than we do anywhere else. Increased stress and mental health, motivation concerns, more effective communication, the demands created by technology, managing people, positive organizational culture and leadership are all important issues that need to be considered in today’s world of work. Imagine, though, working at a place where you and everyone around you enjoys going to work, a place where you make a meaningful contribution and are valued and recognized, the team is productive and energized, learning is valued, management cares for employees, and relationships are positive. Sound great?

At the third annual Your Workplace Conference, international experts in individual and organizational health spoke on how to initiate positive changes where you work. Regardless of economic concerns, delegates found ways to attend and engage in discussions of healthier workplaces in deep and profound ways. Hosted by Your Workplace on Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1st, 2009, the conference featured keynote speakers Dr. Steve Robbins, Dr. Peter Senge, Paul Houle and humourist Deborah Kimmett.

Opening keynote speaker Dr. Robbins proclaimed that he is not as much an expert in diversity and inclusion as he is an expert in human behaviour. He cited example after example of how external messaging has branded programming into our brains, which, combined with mindless actions, lead us to conclusions which we may not desire. Using humour, he raised the audience to an intense state of awe, ending with a heartfelt story that had the room reeling. This powerful presentation touched the hearts of all.

Dr. Robbins is an expert in an essential skill that shaped the theme of our 2009 Your Workplace conference: how to be inclusive. With the theme of The Power of Inclusion, keynotes and speakers shared the notion of being mindful to foster the growth of a fully inclusive workplace. Following the Your Workplace mandate of being a hands-on resource tool, attendees developed practical tips and tools to take back to their places of work and to immediately start implementing. Inspiration, provocative thoughts, compelling ideas, beautiful design and healthy food were in abundance.

More About: Dr. Steve Robbins, Paul Houle, Dr. Peter Senge