An ongoing global program of Reflection Point sessions designed to strengthen and embed this leading company’s values, as well as advance inclusion through better understanding of other perspectives.
Reflection Point partnered with a well-known global technology company to deliver both in-person and virtual programming—facilitated sessions around a single short story chosen in cooperation with the respective leaders, with the firm’s corporate values and inclusion in mind.
Participants have expressed the belief that the Reflection Point program strengthens companywide commitment to its Respect, Accountability and Integrity corporate values. The sessions also aimed to support improved inclusion, innovation, collaboration and learning. Several who participated during the pandemic said the activity was particularly welcome during the time of separation.
Program Outcomes and Participant Reflections
In interviews, participants reflected on the way Reflection Point:
Strengthens core commitment to the company’s Respect, Integrity, Accountability values.
“There were some deep conversations connecting the concepts with personal experiences and our company values.”
“We see how the power of stories helps with team connections and collaborations while anchoring on our values.”
“Reflection Point is one of those few avenues where we went from talking about our opinions at work and why we think they are valid to here's how this aligns with my values and what I think our company stands for.”
“I think it helps with the company culture that we want to have, which is being open and respectful, appreciating others' opinions—living our company's values and showcasing them. The Reflection Point program is a vehicle to drive better collaboration and better understanding.”
"I wish we could sustain these conversations. It is imperative for every organization to spur these discussions among its employees. After all, we are human at our core and our personal perspectives/values/biases create the workplace culture. Reflection Point is a great catalyst for such transformations.”
"The experience provided individuals an opportunity to speak from a place of authority—their own opinions, backgrounds, etc.—at work. Sometimes, our meetings are led by the most senior people in the room and giving people the chance to speak openly in a safe environment is a good exercise to help build confidence in speaking up in team/business-oriented meetings."
Supports inclusion across the company.
“It had a clear application to the workplace—helping better understand how differently people see the world.”
"People were immediately speaking more from their personal insights and their personal experience, their frame of reference. In the other diversity and inclusion experiences, there's some of that that goes on, but in Reflection Point there is this element of everybody starting from the same point. It leveled the playing field because we all were discussing this piece of literature that we didn't have any previous exposure to.”
“The entire experience during the three sessions was representing diversity and inclusion, encouraging open conversation with your colleagues on topics where some of us have completely different perspectives and points of view. We are all culturally diverse and come from different backgrounds, thus listening to a wide range of opinions helps to form a more inclusive mindset.”
"I think Reflection Point contributes to shaping the inclusive environment. Overall it just helps you understand that you can open up and be yourself and be very transparent in your point of view. It pushed the curiosity out, and I personally had fruitful discussions with some of my colleagues afterwards."
Advances innovation and collaboration.
“That removing-of-the-armor is a really valuable way to break down those barriers and ultimately create stronger connections.”
“Reflection Point was a very valuable learning experience for me. Learning about my colleagues, learning about their opinions, their backgrounds, the assumptions that we make every day.”
"It's great to be able to practice a deeper level of engagement when we're just talking about a piece of literature. Because the next time we're talking about something where we have more skin in the game in terms of our professions, we will have worked through practicing that communication dynamic."
Program Leader Feedback
Program leaders saw the value of Reflection Point as well:
"In the Reflection Point session we discussed multiple scenarios and how one could perceive the situation, which provided a rich discussion on perspectives and multiple narratives. That then allowed us to continue the discussion with real life examples at work that fostered a ‘common language.’ The power of these stories could help with team connections and collaborations while anchoring on our values.”
“Definitely positive feedback. The team is still talking about the different perspectives. I think it worked well that we started with the values discussion… so there was a common language we could use.”
“The story “Good Hunting” was beautiful. Here, we are beacons of innovation and disruption. The story caused us to consider what collateral damage we create when we strive to be faster, better, more efficient. How do you balance culture with progress?”
"Particularly in an environment where people are focused on success through
teamwork, this is a really great way to build bonds and connections.”
