On Wednesday 23rd October 2019 we discussed how to “Positively Influence Your Workplace”
We coined the phrase “Conscious Conduct” Being mindful of how we act and react to people and circumstances that we encounter during our working day.
Professor Colette Fagan talked to us about organisational culture and how sometimes you have to break the rules to improve, modernise and advance our working environment – to leave “the way we do things here” behind. How changing habits take time, commitment and energy but by drawing on supportive networks; a collective effort of small changes can make a huge impact.
So let’s make sure we take that coffee break, make ourselves our project with clear objectives and stop/go clauses, delegate with a smile and be active in the way we relate to others.
Dr Rachel Cowen and Cath Prescott facilitated a very thought provoking workshop about being an active bystander: someone who takes notice of what is happening and takes responsibility to act. Using case studies we explored attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes and discussed how these can cause biased behaviour and result in discrimination. Even a fire alarm and evacuation couldn’t stop our engaging and informative speaker, Cath Prescott who continued in the corridor and led everyone back to the lecture theatre to continue the debate. 
Collectively we created a relaxed, communicative and lively environment which led to some frank and motivating conversations. Exactly what our network sets out to do!
Thanks to the MCRC who provided lunch and refreshments, to the brilliant staff at the Christie Auditorium for providing technical support and of course to my Core Team for their discussions, ideas and help with arrangements!
Look out for our next WICN event for World Cancer Day in February 2020.
Suz Johnson