Beth Ruffin, P&C Consultant and our guest speaker, Danielle (Dani) Gutierrez explored the importance of creating a workplace that is both inclusive and accessible to all.
In the spirit of continued learning, we're sharing access to the Courageous Conversation so that you can watch it on your own time and learn more from our subject matter expert.
📝Key Takeaways
After watching the session, you will gain the following insights and actionable steps:
Takeaway 1: Self-care is a discipline, not a luxury Danny emphasized reframing self-care from an indulgence to a non-negotiable practice that enhances effectiveness and well-being. Even tiny daily practices accumulate over time to create balance.
🎯 Actionable Item: Pick one small "oil change self-care" practice and do it every single day for two weeks—whether it's three mindful sips of coffee, a brief moment of presence, or one intentional breath. Track it to build the discipline.
Takeaway 2: Leaders cannot control everyone's engagement—and that's okay Danny stressed that you're just one person. Being authentic and making open-ended offers is enough. Some people will maintain work-life boundaries regardless, and respecting that choice is part of good leadership.
🎯 Actionable Item: Stop trying to convert the resistant ones. Instead, send out one low-pressure, open-ended offer to your team this week ("If there's anything I can do to take things off your plate, please let me know") and then let people self-select their response. Release the expectation that everyone will engage.
Takeaway 3: Energy needs differ—design inclusion around this reality Danny highlighted that introversion/extroversion isn't about personality but about whether engaging energizes or depletes you. "Passive programming" allows connection without mandatory synchronized participation.
🎯 Actionable Item: Implement one passive program for your team this month—a voluntary game, word search, challenge, or activity people can engage with asynchronously (like his "Hide the Snowman" example). Make it opt-in, not mandatory.
🗣️About Our Subject Matter Expert
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📊 What Comes Next?
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