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Why of DEI
The Why of DEI
Awareness Session
Unpacking the politics, stripping away the fluff and the "buzzword fatigue" to focus on the essential: how we work better together.
From R18,500
60 Minutes
Virtual
Roy Gluckman-John
DEI Expert
Description
DEI has been buried under layers of buzzwords, performative checklists, and a growing global and local backlash. But when you strip all of that back, it remains about something simple and essential: how we work well together. In this high-impact session, Roy Gluckman-John unpacks what DEI really means in a world that is increasingly questioning its relevance. We move beyond "tick-box" exercises to explore how identity, bias, and learned behaviours fundamentally shape team performance. This talk helps leaders and teams cut through the noise, address the political tensions, and see DEI for what it truly is, a powerful framework for improving collaboration, effectiveness, and organisational culture.
This Session Includes
Expert Live Facilitation
A 60-minute virtual session led by a veteran DEI expert, Roy Gluckman-John.
Cinematic Video
A viewing of our high-impact awareness film designed to shift perspectives on the "Why" of inclusion.
Q&A
We dedicate 10–15 minutes for Q&A. Using anonymous engagement tools where needed, we create a safe environment that encourages honesty and shared learning.
The WhatsApp Advisor
Access to our WhatsApp platform that includes instant feedback on the session and the ability to ask follow-up questions privately.
Learning Outcomes
Understand The DEI Critique
Understand why DEI is being critiqued globally and learn how to move past the "fluff" to the strategic essence of inclusion.
Link Identity to High Performance
Gain a deep understanding of how identity bias impacts team effectiveness, and learn how to leverage identity literacy to unlock higher performance and collaboration.
Navigate the Politics of BBBEE
Develop the language to have healthy, constructive conversations about the intersection of DEI and BBBEE, and the growing critique of BBBEE itself.
Improve Team Psychological Safety
Walk away with practical, real-world strategies for building demonstrably more collaborative and inclusive teams.
Outline
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An honest look at the current critique of DEI. We explore why people are feeling "fatigued" and why it is necessary to strip away the "fluff" to find the essence of inclusion.
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We draw the vital link between the global critique of DEI and the local critique of BBBEE legislation. We discuss how to navigate these tensions without losing sight of social justice or performance.
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Uncovering the powerful and often misunderstood link between identity, bias, and measurable team performance.
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We watch a high-impact video that anchors the conversation in real-world stories, illustrating why inclusive teams are smarter and more effective.
Watch the sample video to the right.
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A practical guide on how to initiate and sustain honest, high-impact conversations within your team without the fear of "doing it wrong."
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A dedicated space for participants to ask the "hard" or skeptical questions they’ve been afraid to raise in the current climate.
Who Is This Session For?
EXCO and Senior Leaders
HR and People Managers
DEI Committees
Organisation-wide
Observable Month Pairing
Human Rights Day (March)
Heritage Month (September - South Africa)
| Bundle Size | Price per Quantity |
|---|---|
| 1 Session | R 22,500 each |
| 4 Sessions | R 20,500 each |
| 8 Sessions | R 18,500 each |
| Full Calendar (11 Sessions) | R 15,000 each |
Awareness Session Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our virtual format is designed to scale; we've successfully hosted groups from 20 to 2,000.
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No. This is a performance-focused session. We start by acknowledging why people are tired of "DEI as usual" and pivot immediately to how inclusion helps you work smarter.
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Absolutely. While the core frameworks of DEI literacy are consistent, the session is flexible enough to be tailored to your organisation's specific language, internal policies, and current cultural challenges. We ensure the conversation feels like a natural extension of your existing team culture.
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We are platform-agnostic (Zoom, Teams, etc.) and can use our meeting platform or yours.
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To protect the psychological safety of our participants and encourage real engagement, we do not allow sessions to be recorded. This ensures that every conversation stays within the room, allowing your people to engage authentically without fear of being captured on camera.
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We treat it with professional respect and honesty. We acknowledge the legislative requirements while showing how building an inclusive culture is what actually makes the legislation work for the business.
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We offer two ways to measure the impact of your Awareness Session. Users scan a QR code that opens our WhatsApp bot on their devices for quick survey feedback. Or we can provide you with a pre-designed survey link to distribute via email (or other internal channel).
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Yes, we encourage it. We use anonymous tools specifically so that people can ask the "hard" questions without fear of being judged.
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Yes, absolutely. We can expand any session into a 90 or 120-minute Masterclass. This extended format shifts the focus to practical tools, real-world scenarios, and concrete solutions.
Frequently Bought Together
Unconscious Bias
Psychological Safety
Awareness Session | 60-Minute | Virtual
Awareness Session | 60-Minute | Virtual
About the Facilitator:
Roy Gluckman-John
Roy is the co-founder of Run to the Monster, a qualified Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, and a veteran DEI practitioner with over 13 years of experience in high-stakes consulting and programme design. His "superpower" lies in his ability to take complex, sensitive social concepts and package them into relatable, easy-to-understand ideas that reduce defensiveness and invite growth. As an expert in creating psychologically safe spaces, Roy guides participants to "run to the monsters": to face our deeply held beliefs about ourselves and others with honesty and kindness.
