The Invitation

Join a monthly Zoom call with other inspiring and dedicated humans to discuss the specific approaches and challenges many of us encounter when designing values-centered workplace policies, practices, and initiatives.

What is this?

We’re testing a regularly-scheduled convening for the next four months where friends and colleagues can gather to share, discuss, and support each other as we all engage in values-centered work. In the past, we’ve hosted conversations like the one-day Ethical Re-Opening Summit, the weeklong Values-Based Organizational Design workshop, and ad hoc one-off calls with colleagues to discuss something specific.

Over the years, friends have repeatedly asked us if we could create some kind of regular space to connect with colleagues at other organizations similarly engaged in values-centered HR/People Ops work. Since many doing this work are “teams of one” in their organizations (or it can feel like that at times), the desire was to find a space where people could ask things like, “How did you approach creating your equitable compensation model and comp assessment?” “Have you experimented with unlimited paid vacation days? What worked/what didn’t?” “Has anyone decolonized their employee handbook? What process did you use?” “When you say ‘hybrid workplace’ what does that look like for your org these days?” “Does anyone have experience centered equity and inclusion in their collective bargaining process?” “How can you approach performance management in your organization in a way that feels supportive?” In some way, these conversations are an extension of the ones we host regularly on the WSS podcast.

Who?

You and other awesome people! The initial Brain Dates invite list is comprised of friends, colleagues, and collaborators of the WSS HR Labs team. We asked ourselves, who are the coolest people we know with intellectually stimulating, discontinuous approaches and mindsets that we’d like to spend an hour or so with in conversation. Voila! The majority of you serve in C-level or Director-level roles, particularly positions that are crafting and designing workplace policies, practices, and initiatives. This group largely works in the non-profit sector, for B corps, and/or organizations and teams with a social enterprise or social impact focus. Most of you live and work in the U.S. and Canada, but many of you are situated around the globe too.

When?

We’ll be hosting four sessions over the next four months, and this might be the extent of Brain Dates. Or, if the group finds value in them, the idea might iterate into what’s next. You can “Collect All 4” or pick and choose based on the topic interest. Each Brain Date will be a separate conversation.

• Thursday, November 21, 8-930PT/11-1230ET

• Wednesday, December 18, 8-930PT/11-1230ET

• Tuesday, January 28, 8-930PT/11-1230ET

• Wednesday, February 19, 8-930PT/11-1230ET

Conversation Format

During the 90 minutes we’ll spend time connecting with each other, framing the topic, unpacking various approaches, and sharing what’s resonating as we roll around ideas. Depending on who attends and how “juicy” the conversation, this might run a fast(er) 60 minutes or could be a long play 90-minute adventure with conversational cliffhanger. Members of the WSS team will provide light facilitation. We’ll also invite a participant or two in advance to share with the group about their own approach or “case study.”

• 0:00 -10:00 — Preamble to the Discussion

• 10:10 - 30:00 — Introduction to the Topic with Brief “Case Study” Sharing

• 30:00 - 60:00 — Small(er) Group Conversations

• 60:00 - 80:00 — Full Group Reflections | What’s Resonating? | Open Q&A

• 80:00 - 90:00 — Landing the Plane

FAQ

When you say “values-centered” which values are you thinking about? Everyone in this invited group defines the values they center a bit differently, but generally we’re referring to organizations that work to center any, all, or a combination of equity, inclusion, justice, belonging, accessibility, diversity, and anti-racism in their workplace policies, practices, and initiatives.

What am I committing to again? Nobody here needs more stuff that isn’t helpful and supportive. Expressing interest in Brain Dates means that you’re open to the adventure and that Tim will send you the meeting topic and Zoom credentials. Attend any or all of them, or spectate from the sidelines.

What if I can’t be there for the entire 90 minutes? We totally get that schedules are tight. Attend what you can. Bounce when you need to leave.

What if I miss the live conversation? Tim created this LinkedIn group for those who want to chat more frequently with this group about specific topics we don’t cover on the calls. It’s also where we’ll likely be posting the topic and zoom credentials for future Brain Dates. (For now, the LinkedIn group is also be invitation only.)

What topics are in the queue to explore? Over the past few years we have compiled a long list of topics that intrigue us related to this work — from the philosophical to the practical — and this work is ever-evolving. During our Hollyhock gathering last year, participants created this Core Four sketch. Any one of those 100+ items could make a great discussion topic. That said, particularly with the results of the 2024 U.S. election, we want Brain Dates to be a generative space as specific things arise. We can imagine in the coming months that new Executive Orders and legislation at the state and federal level will impact how we all approach values-centered work in the workplace.

What are some principles offered to ground these discussions? (1) Breathe Together: This is an invitation to be present, humble, stretch ourselves, and show up for each other. (2) Distribute Power: It asks us to be aware of how we’re participating. (3) Reframe: It invites us to consider how we might approach workplace aspects in a [more] values-aligned way. (4) Co-Create: This is innovative work, together we’re inventing a future that doesn’t yet exist. (5) Joy & Fun: Part of what can sustain us — even in the midst of the most challenging of times — is laughter and light-heartedness among friends and colleagues.

Where does the name Brain Dates come from? Our late friend and brilliant collaborator Diane Ragsdale used to schedule regular calls with colleagues to explore ideas, roll around approaches, and consider the possibilities and connections. Shannon Litzenberger (another one of our brilliant friends) was a close collaborator with Diane and recently reminded us that Diane used to refer to those calls as Brain Dates. Diane loved bringing people together who held similar values but often had different knowledge, skills, experience, and orientation in how they approached the work of making the world a more beautiful, just, and understanding place. We miss Diane a great deal and wanted to pay homage to our dear friend in this space. She would’ve been one of the first people to RSVP for these chats and energetically email back something like, “Oh my gosh, we should totally discuss [this topic]!!!”

Do I need to RSVP for each call? Nope. Please just email us or use this link to RSVP once. Think of that RSVP as expressing interest and a desire to participate in Brain Dates as a whole. From there, we’ll send you Zoom credentials and any related session information in advance of each conversation. Thank You!

Can I suggest a topic for us to discuss during a Brain Date? Yes, please! While there are several placeholder topics in consideration for discussion, we want the space to be generative to the needs and interests of the group. Drop us a line in the Google Form with any ideas that are of particular interest to you.

What if I have a case study about related org design work we’ve been doing in our organization? How can I share it? That’s awesome! Please drop us a line in the Google Form letting us know that you’ve got a case study to share with the group. (We’re using the term “case study” loosely here.) If it doesn’t align with a Brain Dates topic, we’re always rolling out new podcast episodes. Could be fun to explore it in that setting. Thank You!