***Next Offered October 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am ***

Based in Donna Hicks' Leading with Dignity: How to create a culture that brings out the best in people (2018), this session will briefly summarize key concepts of dignity and how it can affect team productivity and innovation. Participants will then anonymously assess how well dignity is honored in their work environment and in their own actions. They will then engage in a short breakout activity to explore several strategies for fostering dignity-conscious teams. Strategies may include: fostering a growth mindset, modeling vulnerability, activating empathy, cultivating trust, zooming out, & taking responsibility. Lastly, participants will be encouraged to set a goal to foster dignity consciousness for themselves and their team.

Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.