speakers

john briggs

Keynote: Exclusion to Inclusion – Leading an Inclusive Workplace

John Briggs has spent a career facilitating positive change by increasing representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across workplaces. In turn strengthening the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

An expert in his field and master of cultural confidence conversations, Mr Briggs knows precisely what does and doesn’t work when implementing a Diversity and Inclusion strategy, Reconciliation Action Plan and building Cultural Competence.

“The biggest inhibiter to progressive conversations involving the inclusion of marginalized communities is the fear of saying the wrong thing and walking on eggshells,” says Mr Briggs.

His solution? Building Cultural Safety. “Cultural Safety is creating a safe environment for open discussions that are free of judgment or fear. It is a positive forum for learning about marginalized peoples and minority cultures,” says Mr Briggs.

“If you don’t make people comfortable, they do nothing. What I want to avoid is people taking the attitude that if you do nothing, you can’t get it wrong.”

“Cultural Safety essentially takes the eggshells away, the fear of offending or being politically incorrect. I aim to teach in a way that makes people feel confident enough to ask the questions they don’t know, because that’s the only way we learn,” says Mr Briggs.