COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Support a Positive & Culturally Appropriate Workplace Culture course. This program has been developed to strengthen your understanding of how to create, maintain, and model a workplace environment that values cultural awareness, equity, and respect. The course focuses on fostering inclusivity, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination, and embedding community control principles into governance, teamwork, and leadership practices.

A positive and culturally appropriate workplace culture begins with mutual respect and awareness. This course begins by introducing the foundations of cultural safety and inclusive leadership, explaining how respectful workplace relationships are built through understanding, empathy, and recognition of diversity. It highlights the importance of creating environments where all employees—regardless of background—feel valued, supported, and able to contribute meaningfully to organisational goals.

Community control is a cornerstone of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance and leadership. This section explains its principles, historical development, and the governance frameworks that uphold it within community-controlled organisations. It explores how community control influences decision-making, accountability, and daily operations, ensuring that leadership reflects the voice, culture, and priorities of the communities being served. Participants will learn how these principles guide both strategic and operational practices within culturally grounded organisations.

Understanding the cultural context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boards is essential for effective collaboration and decision-making. This section explores the traditional and social foundations of Indigenous governance, including kinship systems, community values, and cultural protocols that inform how decisions are made. It examines how these values shape workplace interactions and how cultural safety can be integrated into board operations, staff engagement, and organisational culture.

Equity and diversity are vital to sustainable workplace excellence. This section outlines the principles of fairness, inclusion, and respect that underpin Australian legal and ethical frameworks. It discusses how to address unconscious bias, promote representation, and create equitable recruitment and governance systems. Participants will learn strategies for embedding diversity principles into organisational policy, leadership, and practice.

Organisational culture is deeply influenced by geographic, social, economic, and political factors. This section examines how regional contexts affect service delivery, community engagement, and workforce structures. It considers the impact of social determinants and government policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, highlighting how context-sensitive leadership and teamwork support both operational effectiveness and cultural integrity.

Professional growth supports sustainable leadership and good governance. This section highlights the importance of continuous professional learning for board members, managers, and staff. It covers methods for assessing training needs, identifying development opportunities, and participating in mentoring, coaching, and peer-learning programs. Participants will also explore how to access government-funded and non-government training initiatives to strengthen governance capacity.

Cultural protocols play a vital role in guiding respectful conduct within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. This section outlines key responsibilities of board members and managers in upholding community protocols, engaging with Elders, and balancing cultural and corporate obligations. It addresses the importance of confidentiality, integrity, and accountability, ensuring decision-making processes respect both community traditions and organisational governance standards.

Effective leadership relies on clear role definition and collaboration. This section differentiates between governance and operational management functions, outlining the legal, ethical, and communication responsibilities of each. It explains how to maintain appropriate boundaries, foster shared accountability, and prevent conflicts of interest while promoting a unified organisational direction.

Active listening is a cornerstone of cultural respect and professional communication. This section defines active listening, explains its importance in leadership and teamwork, and explores how verbal and non-verbal cues demonstrate genuine engagement. It provides practical techniques for overcoming barriers to listening and building empathy and trust in cross-cultural contexts.

Feedback strengthens learning, relationships, and performance. This section focuses on culturally appropriate methods for giving and receiving feedback within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. It highlights the importance of delivering feedback respectfully, being open to receiving it constructively, and using it as a tool to improve board performance and workplace collaboration.

Disagreements and misunderstandings can arise in any diverse workplace. This section explores the causes of cross-cultural conflict and provides strategies for culturally safe mediation, respectful dialogue, and de-escalation. It highlights the value of intercultural competence and conflict resolution models that maintain trust, dignity, and harmony within teams.

Teamwork underpins organisational success and community impact. This section introduces teamwork theories, stages of team development, and the characteristics of high-performing, culturally responsive teams. It explores the role of communication, trust, and leadership in fostering cooperation and demonstrates how teamwork principles can be applied within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to enhance service outcomes.

Respect for people is the foundation of a positive workplace. This section explains how to promote cultural values, celebrate diversity, and acknowledge the strengths of individuals. It encourages consideration of human values in all decisions, ensuring that policies and board actions uphold fairness, empathy, and inclusion across the organisation.

Supporting others strengthens workplace capability and morale. This section outlines how to recognise and utilise the skills and experience of team members, share knowledge, and resolve challenges through culturally sensitive communication. It encourages mentoring, peer support, and the development of confidence within a culturally respectful environment.

A positive workplace encourages learning and growth. This section discusses how to support others to achieve work goals, recognise achievements, and pursue professional development. It highlights the importance of acknowledging effort and fostering continuous learning as a means of improving team performance and individual empowerment.

Teamwork flourishes where clear expectations and recognition are present. This section focuses on developing and communicating shared objectives, acknowledging contributions, and promoting a cooperative team culture. It demonstrates how team-oriented approaches support productivity, satisfaction, and cultural inclusivity.

Cross-cultural misunderstandings can undermine workplace harmony and effectiveness. This section explains how to identify potential sources of misunderstanding, develop culturally safe communication strategies, and collaborate with management and boards to address challenges proactively. It highlights the importance of empathy, patience, and education in reducing cultural conflict and promoting a united, respectful workplace.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical strategies to promote cultural safety, inclusivity, and respect across all levels of organisational practice. You will understand how to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance principles, strengthen teamwork, and support the development of a culturally appropriate workplace culture that values diversity, accountability, and shared success.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency BSBATSIM421.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Positive & Culturally Appropriate Workplace Culture

·       Promoting Cultural Awareness and Respect

·       Building Positive Workplace Relationships

·       Fostering Cultural Safety and Inclusive Leadership

2. Understanding the Concept of Community Control in Organisations

• Definition and principles of community control in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts
• Historical development and significance of community-controlled organisations in Australia
• Governance structures supporting community control
• How community control influences leadership, decision-making, and accountability
• Operational impacts of community control on day-to-day functions, staffing, and service delivery

3. Cultural Context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Boards

• Overview of the cultural and social foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance
• Role of boards in preserving and upholding traditional and cultural values
• Decision-making processes guided by kinship, community, and cultural protocols
• How cultural values shape the workplace environment and staff relationships
• Integrating cultural safety and respect in board operations and workplace conduct

4. Applying Equity and Diversity Principles in Community Organisations

• Core principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Legal and ethical frameworks promoting workplace equity in Australia
• Benefits of diverse and inclusive governance boards
• Recognising and addressing unconscious bias
• Strategies for embedding equity and diversity in recruitment, governance, and policy

5. Understanding Geographic, Social, Economic and Political Contexts

• Analysing geographic influences on community service delivery and governance
• Exploring social and cultural determinants that shape organisational priorities
• Economic contexts and their influence on funding, employment, and service sustainability
• Political factors affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
• The impact of these contextual factors on workplace culture and team dynamics

6. Identifying Professional Development Opportunities

• Importance of ongoing professional learning for board members and managers
• Assessing current skills and identifying development needs
• Types of professional development relevant to governance and community leadership
• Mentoring, coaching, and peer learning opportunities within community contexts
• Accessing government and non-government training initiatives

7. Protocols and Cultural Responsibilities of Board Members

• Key cultural protocols guiding board conduct and decision-making
• Responsibilities towards Elders, community members, and stakeholders
• Managing conflicts between cultural and corporate obligations
• Observing ceremonies, respect practices, and consultation traditions
• Upholding confidentiality, integrity, and accountability in culturally sensitive contexts

8. Roles and Responsibilities of Board Members and Managers

• Overview of governance versus operational management functions
• Legal and ethical obligations of board members and managers
• Collaborative leadership and shared accountability
• Communication pathways between governance and management
• Managing boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest

9. Strategies for Active Listening

• Definition and importance of active listening in leadership and teamwork
• Core skills for effective listening and information retention
• Using verbal and non-verbal cues to demonstrate engagement
• Building empathy and understanding through listening
• Overcoming barriers to active listening in cross-cultural communication

10. Strategies for Giving and Receiving Feedback

• Importance of feedback for learning, performance, and team growth
• Cultural considerations when providing feedback in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts
• Techniques for delivering constructive, respectful, and culturally appropriate feedback
• Receiving feedback with openness and professionalism
• Using feedback to improve board effectiveness and workplace relationships

11. Managing Disagreements and Cross-Cultural Misunderstandings

• Common causes of disagreements and misunderstandings in diverse workplaces
• Recognising cultural communication differences and conflict triggers
• Conflict resolution models and culturally safe mediation approaches
• Techniques for de-escalation and respectful dialogue
• Building intercultural competence within teams and boards

12. Teamwork Theories and Approaches

• Overview of teamwork theory and its relevance to organisational effectiveness
• Stages of team development and characteristics of high-performing teams
• Team roles, diversity, and complementary skills
• The role of leadership and communication in successful teamwork
• Applying teamwork principles in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations

13. Promote Respect Toward People in the Workplace

• Promote cultural views and values in the workplace
• Treat individuals and groups from different backgrounds, cultures, and languages with respect and sensitivity
• Identify and support the positive qualities of people
• Take the impact of board decisions on human values into account when making decisions

14. Provide Support to Others

• Identify the knowledge, skills, and experience of others
• Share own knowledge and skills with others
• Resolve issues in culturally appropriate and sensitive ways
• Use active listening skills when communicating
• Encourage others to take on new challenges

15. Promote an Environment that Encourages People to Enhance Their Skills and Knowledge

• Support others to achieve work goals
• Develop and apply strategies to recognise achievements
• Support others to undertake relevant professional development

16. Encourage Teamwork

• Develop strategies supporting a team approach
• Clearly outline expectations of team members
• Develop and apply strategies that recognise individuals’ contributions to the team

17. Reduce Potential for Cross-Cultural Misunderstandings

• Identify issues that may cause cross-cultural conflict or misunderstanding in the workplace
• Work with board members and the manager to develop and implement strategies to reduce cross-cultural misunderstandings in the workplace

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.