In C-suites and boardrooms all over the world Diversity and inclusion are rapidly changing from buzzwords and promises to realities.

These meetings may focus on the business, but it is additional hints crucial to remember that decisions made in these meetings affect everyone, from the employees to the shareholders to the economy. With this in mind these meetings are generally very well-organized and follow a set of rules (such as Robert’s Rules of Order) and protocols that ensure that the meeting is conducted appropriately.

Boardrooms are designed to accommodate smaller groups of people. They typically seat 8 to 20 individuals around the table, which facilitates face-toface discussion and fosters unity. High-quality furniture, as well with technology like technology for teleconferencing and advanced audiovisual systems, can help create the atmosphere necessary for productive collaboration.

Discussion boards are an effective way to engage students in discussions that extend beyond the classroom, helping students see how their perspectives from outside are connected to the learning process in the classroom. To encourage student participation, instructors can start with icebreakers that allow students to become familiar with their classmates and their responses. Speer, at Wichita State, asks her students to make an emoji chain to describe their personality and the things they enjoy. Students then read the responses of their classmates and then respond. In a summary of a discussion, highlighting important themes and ideas inspires students to keep track of the entire forum.