Building Inclusive Workplace Cultures In A Polarized World

The challenges faced by Elise Smith’s parents when navigating the Chicago education system shaped her belief that opportunities should be equitable. This belief fueled her drive to create a more inclusive workplace learning and development landscape.

Smith, cofounder and CEO, and Heather Shen, cofounder and chief product officer, bonded at Stanford over their shared experiences of exclusion and resilience. Combining their expertise from leading tech companies, they created Praxis Labs. The platform leverages immersive simulations to teach crucial human skills, such as empathy and critical thinking, essential for inclusive workplaces.

The impact of their innovative approach is evident in improved employee engagement and retention, particularly among underrepresented groups. By integrating learning into daily workflows and providing personalized coaching, Praxis Labs enhances individual growth and drives organizational success. In a time of DEI pushback, their focus on measurable impact and practical skills positions companies for long-term success in a diverse world.

Early Influences On A Workplace Learning And Development Platform

Smith and Heather Shen’s paths converged in 2018 at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where a shared coffee date marked the beginning of a profound connection. As women of color, they found common ground in their experiences navigating exclusion and striving for inclusion. The bond they formed was rooted in their shared family stories, their journeys through systemic challenges, and their unwavering belief in the transformative power of learning and development products to reshape workplace culture for the better.

Both Smith and Shen brought a wealth of professional experience to their partnership. Smith’s background included working at IBM on early Watson for education products, where she delved into the potential of machine learning to personalize and measure learning experiences. Her subsequent role at a philanthropic fund further solidified her understanding of the leadership development landscape and the opportunities for innovation.

With her stints at NASA, Microsoft, and Bain, Shen contributed expertise in leadership development, training, and immersive technologies. Their shared passion and complementary skill sets laid a strong foundation for creating Praxis Labs.

“I saw a ton of opportunities to do learning and development—for leadership, for DEI, soft skills, human skills—differently by using immersive learning,” explained Smith. Soft skills refer to non-technical skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and time management. Human skills encompass a broader range of interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills, such as empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, and resilience.

Data-Driven Impact: Praxis Labs’ Proven Workplace Learning Results

Praxis Labs revolutionizes workplace learning through immersive simulations that cultivate essential human skills, fostering inclusivity, engagement, and retention. The company’s distinctive approach empowers learners to experience scenarios from diverse perspectives, facilitating a deeper understanding and application of crucial skills in real-world situations.

The company’s comprehensive methodology includes seamlessly integrating learning into daily workflows, offering concise modules for targeted skill development, and providing personalized coaching to reinforce learning.

Data tracking substantiates the effectiveness of these efforts, showcasing enhanced employee engagement, retention, and performance among client organizations. The company’s impact extends beyond individual growth, contributing to improved employee engagement, reduced turnover, and enhanced organizational performance.

The immersive training has led to a significant increase in employee intent to stay at one client, with 68% of managers who underwent the training expressing a stronger desire to remain with their organization, commented Smith. This figure rose to 75% for Black and Latino team members and managers, highlighting the particularly impactful nature of the training for these groups. Another client observed a remarkable 10% increase in their annual engagement survey scores for teams and leaders who participated in Praxis Labs’ training, showcasing a tangible improvement in workplace satisfaction and involvement.

These results underscore the effectiveness of Praxis Labs’ approach in fostering a more inclusive, engaging, and supportive work environment, ultimately leading to improved employee retention and overall organizational success.

“We recognized the value of Praxis Labs’ efforts to leverage immersive learning to target key areas across the talent lifecycle and highlight what individuals and organizations can do to create workplaces that work better for everyone while delivering products and services that better serve everyone,” said Allison Horn, Accenture’s Talent Transformation Consulting lead. “This investment gives Praxis Labs access to Accenture’s domain expertise and its enterprise clients and the opportunity to co-innovate with Accenture at its Innovation Hubs, Labs and Liquid Studios, working with subject matter experts to adapt its solutions to the enterprise market and scale faster and more effectively.”

Praxis Labs has raised $23 million in venture capital. In addition to Accenture, investors include Norwest Venture Partners, Emerson Collective, Ulu Ventures, Penny Jar Capital, Westbound Equity Partners, Precursor Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Firework Ventures.

Beyond DEI’s Backlash: Praxis’ L&D Approach Drives Business Success

In a time of heightened scrutiny and pushback against DEI initiatives, innovative companies recognize the value of Praxis Labs’ unique approach. Praxis doesn’t shy away from DEI but embeds it into essential “power skills” training, focusing on practical abilities like communication, empathy, and conflict resolution.

This approach resonates with businesses because it transcends specific topics and equips employees with the skills to navigate difficult conversations, fostering a more inclusive and productive workplace culture. By honing these core human skills, companies build resilience and adaptability within their workforce, ensuring they can thrive in an increasingly complex and diverse world.

Praxis Labs’ emphasis on measurable impact, personalized coaching, and AI-powered simulations further solidifies its appeal. These tools allow companies to track progress, demonstrate the value of their DEI efforts, and create engaging, realistic learning experiences for employees. This strategic approach counters the DEI backlash and positions companies for long-term success by fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

While supplier diversity programs offer a valuable entry point to doing business with corporations, underrepresented entrepreneurs must actively cultivate relationships and expand their networks beyond these programs to win their business. Building connections with key decision-makers can be challenging, but joining diverse business associations and fostering collaborations can open doors to valuable partnerships and referral networks, ultimately leading to greater success.

“Many of our clients are asking us for our certifications,” said Smith. While Praxis Labs may not have had corporate doors opened via supplier diversity programs, the fact that their clients inquire about certifications underscores the significance of these programs in showcasing a company’s dedication to diversity.

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