A first responder is not an orthopedic surgeon or a rehabilitative specialist or even an ambulance driver.  My classmate needed all of those people (and more).  A first responder has the skills necessary to stabilize a person to their next level of care. 

In the social and emotional realm, this is what I want to create through my interactive, human-centric trainings on empathy:  workplace first responders. 

Sometimes at work, an employee needs a lot of intervention:  counseling, medication, ongoing levels of focused care.  A workplace first responder should not be a counselor or a pastor or an imam:  this gets a person into uncertain legal waters at work. 

But other times, an employee needs basic, stabilizing care.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) has become a significant topic in the workplace. While it may seem like another buzzword, it is essential to recognize its importance for a successful workplace culture.