Michelle Silverthorn

Authentic Diversity: How to Interrupt Bias & Build an Inclusive Workplace

Our world has changed. The moment is here for real progress on diversity, to take the transformed workplace and the transformed globe and create a new paradigm for equity and inclusion. The calls are loud. Are you ready to answer them?

Join Michelle in an engaging, interactive 4-level program that will shift your understanding on bias and microaggressions, help you recognize your contribution to the work of allyship and inclusion, and encourage action by every individual to build spaces of authentic diversity for all.

Throughout, this keynote Michelle uses word clouds, audience questions, and reflective exercises to help attendees stay engaged. She starts with an eye-opening exercise, a “sit up and pay attention” reminder that everyone has unconscious biases.

Then she discuss Level 1 and the differences between diversity, inclusion, and equity, and the demographic data in workplaces that demonstrates the hurdles to change.

Next, she enters Level 2 and dive deep into unconscious bias. What is it? Why do we have it? How does it affect our perceptions of others? Using storytelling, audience participation, and numerous research studies, she addresses microaggressions and overcome the idea that pretending not to see difference is the way to achieve inclusion.

Then, Michelle discusses Level 3 and the rules everyone should follow to interrupt bias and make equity and inclusion a reality for all in the organization.

Finally, she ends with Level 4 and demonstrate how to design spaces of authenticity and belonging, where everyone is welcome to rise, thrive, and succeed.

This is the real work of inclusion. Let’s begin.

This is How You T.H.R.I.V.E: Six Steps to Achieving Authentic Success at Work

Authentic is the Word of the Year! From social media bots to generative AI, everyone is searching for authenticity in their world. But what does that mean for us in the workplace.

Based on Michelle’s forthcoming book, This is How You T.H.R.I.V.E.: Your Six-Month Guide to Achieving Authentic Success at Work, she’ll share her step-by-step guide to claiming real authentic success at work – at every level and for every generation.

Michelle will share her own career journey – the highs and lows – and showcase how embracing your identities, values, and life stories is the real secret to career success.

Then, she’ll teach her six steps to T.H.R.I.V.E. at work: Tell Your Truth, High Five Your Impostor, Rewrite Your Road Map, Identify Your Champions, Value Yourself and Your Voice, and Embrace Your Community.

Through storytelling, interactivity, case studies, and real-life examples, your attendees will leave with the certain knowledge of how to show up authentically and open doors to trust, loyalty, and enduring success in the workplace and beyond.

What If I Say The Wrong Thing?: How to Communicate & Lead Across Differences

Michelle knows you want to run an inclusive team. She knows you want to be part of an inclusive culture. But she knows you’re worried. You’re worried about saying the wrong thing on race. You’re worried about offending the wrong person. You’re worried about making the wrong joke. You’re so worried, you say nothing at all.

We cannot move forward on inclusion unless we have difficult conversations. But having those conversations without the right preparation can lead to anger, frustration, and the belief that tackling difference is not worth all the conflict it brings. That’s where this program enters.

We start with why it’s hard to interact across identity groups, formally and informally, inside and outside the office. We talk about the many reasons we avoid hard dialogue – fear of conflict, fear of cancellation – but also the many reasons why we need to choose to have these conversations at work.

Next, Michelle provides step-by-step instructions on how to ground your conversations, from having goals in your dialogue, to centering those who are marginalized, to learning what you don’t know, to understanding your discomfort.

She then discuss how to address challenging situations – delivering feedback, talking about race, committing microaggressions, discussing current events, resolving generational conflict – as she demonstrates how to model new behaviors for inclusive team-building and leadership.

At the end, all attendees will have been equipped with the skills to lead, manage, and communicate with empathy and equity, using the right tools to say the right thing at work.

WORK. LEAD. CHANGE.: How to Build an Inclusive Workplace That Works for Women

The work of change starts with each of us. But how can we design inclusive spaces that allow for belonging, equity, and success for women? That’s where this program enters.

This interactive workshop focuses on actions each of us can take individually, and as part of our professional community, to build an equitable workplace. How can we re-examine the barriers to success for women and work to eliminate them? How can we ensure that authentic diversity – the utilization of differences for success – serves as the centerpiece of our organization? And crucially, how can we ensure we get buy-in for every part of this work from the allies who can promote real change – including each other?

Join Michelle for this one-of-a-kind design-centered workshop.

The workshop starts with the goal – what does inclusion and belonging look like for each of us at work? What would it mean for us to bring our authentic selves to the workplace?

Then we each identify the barriers we have experienced and witnessed in our careers. Next, we re-examine those barriers as we determine the root causes of different challenges in the workplace. After that, we learn how to build easy-to-adopt habits that can lead to sustainable change using solutions that you propose. Finally, we will talk about to center your values so you can succeed with this community of leaders.

Are you ready to lead change for good? Then join me in this forward-thinking conversation on how to achieve success in a transformed workplace that works for all of us.

From Intention to Action: Ten Actions for Allyship at Work

Everyone says they’re well-meaning. But well-meaning is only the start. Good intentions don’t change behaviors or systems like real actions taken for change. That is the work of allyship.

But while many of us might think we are good allies, so much of allyship can be performative. Our real test is whether those with whom we are allying believe the same. Do they see your good intentions translating into active support at work? Would they want you to become a better ally through your words and deeds? If so, how can you? That’s where this program comes in.

In From Intention to Action, Michelle asks attendees to commit to becoming allies for change. She’ll share with you what it means to be an ally in today’s workplace and what inequities allies must recognize. Using storytelling, data, and exercises, she’ll help you become aware of both the privileges of your identities and the power you have available to you.

You’ll then learn the ten actions needed to become a better ally at work. Finally, you’ll address some real-life scenarios of allyship that arise again and again, and understand the language, actions, and tools to promote real, lasting change at work.

You Belong Here: What Everyone Should Know & Do About Imposter Syndrome

Do you ever walk into team meetings and feel out of place? Do you ever feel that no matter how perfect you do a job, it is never perfect enough? Do you constantly feel that someday, someone, somewhere will stand up, point their finger at you, and expose you for who you truly know you are – a fraud? This is impostor syndrome.

Impostor syndrome is the feeling that no matter how successful you are, those successes are undeserved, based not on skills or abilities, but rather on luck, timing, and the ability to hide oneself. The threats to both the individual and the workplace are clear, whether it’s self-doubt before an important meeting, lack of engagement in the workplace, or constant turnover from those who simply feel like they do not belong.

The upside to impostor syndrome is that there is a solution. That’s what Michelle explores in You Belong Here.

She firsts discuss the roots of impostor syndrome and why high-performing professionals suffer self-doubt about their abilities, despite their demonstrated success in the workplace. She then address the effects of impostor syndrome, both on the individual’s performance and on the workplace itself.

Michelle then introduces you to the five most common impostor syndrome types – the Perfectionist, the Superhero, the Genius, the Rugged Individualist, and the Expert.

Using numerous interactive activities and small group discussions if desired, we work together to provide these “impostors” with practical, individualized solutions to transform their mindset and claim their workplace success.

Michelle’s goal is to create a professional environment where everyone can be confidently told this truth: You Belong Here.