Engaged teams don’t just happen—they’re inspired by leaders who foster connection, value contributions, and create an environment where people feel truly understood. When individuals feel understood, they are more energized, innovative, and committed to delivering exceptional results.

This workshop, grounded in the insights from Maria’s book, Understood: The Greatest Human Need and the Key to Engagement, empowers leaders to embrace a mindset that prioritizes understanding as the foundation for engagement and performance. 

Participants will explore practical strategies to:

• build authentic connections that inspire trust and collaboration;

• navigate challenging conversations with empathy and clarity; and

• create environments that foster a sense of belonging.

Understanding isn’t just a skill—it’s a mindset that transforms teams, strengthens cultures, and propels organizations forward. This workshop actionable tools to cultivate that mindset and create a workplace where people thrive. Learn how to lead with understanding and unlock engagement and performance.

Building a truly inclusive workplace goes beyond policies or quotas—it’s about creating an environment where diverse perspectives are embraced, biases and assumptions are mitigated, and every team member feels they belong. Leaders play a crucial role in this transformation by modeling a mindset of understanding and by building connections that inspire people to bring their best selves to work.

This workshop, inspired by principles in Maria’s book, Understood: The Greatest Human Need and the Key to Engagement, equips leaders with the skills to foster a culture of inclusion through understanding. Participants will learn how to:

• recognize and mitigate their own biases and assumptions while fostering awareness in others;

• seek out and value different perspectives to enhance decision-making and innovation; and

• build authentic connections that inspire trust, collaboration, and engagement.

• create a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

By embracing understanding as the foundation for inclusion, leaders will be equipped to elevate team performance and foster a culture of engagement and belonging.

Boardroom dynamics can significantly impact the effectiveness of decision-making and organizational success. This workshop, inspired by the principles in Understood: The Greatest Human Need and the Key to Engagement, explores practical strategies for fostering understanding among Board members to create a more cohesive and productive working environment.

Participants will learn how to:

• recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives and communication styles;

• navigate conflict constructively to strengthen relationships and decision-making;

• apply the principles of mutual understanding to build trust and collaboration; and

• cultivate an engaged and high-performing Board culture.

Through interactive discussions and case-based scenarios, Board members will gain insights and tools to enhance their working relationships, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values.

 This workshop is ideal for Board members seeking to improve collaboration and engagement within their governance roles.