Brent Sanders

Brent Sanders has been providing seminars and training in the areas of Conflict Psychology, workplace harassment and discrimination throughout Australia since 1995. He has  presented to over 900 000 people both here and overseas, and currently presents to over 40 000 people a year.  He is the author of an Australian best-selling book, ‘How dangerous Men Think’ which explores the psychology of male to female confrontation from issues of harassment through to sexual assault.

Each year he lectures in around 20 universities throughout Australia on various aspects of conflict psychology.  He also presents seminars on workplace harassment to many corporations and government departments on an ongoing basis.

Over the past few years he has provided ongoing seminars and training for staff and management of QBE, NSW Electoral Commission, National Parks and Wildlife NSW Thales, GrainCorp, Canon, SAP, Mirvac, Australian Taxation Office, ING, Stockland, Centre link, ANZ, NAB, Caltex, Investec, BNP Paribas, First State Super, The Australian Rugby Union, as well as numerous City Councils and smaller organizations.

He normally delivers this via two separate but interrelated seminars.  One specifically tailored for executives/senior management, and one for staff.

This approach maximises the benefit of the presentation, allows specific issues of relevance to be covered, and provides a comfortable environment for those attending.  This methodology is by no means set in stone and he is more than happy to tailor his presentations to suit your requirements

EXECUTIVE/SENIOR MANAGEMENT SEMINAR (approx 120 minute duration)

• Outline and discuss the actual definition of harassment and bullying under legislation.
• Discuss the responsibilities of managers with regard to workplace harassment, bullying and EEO, including the issue of vicarious liability.
• Outline typical examples of harassment with emphasis on recognising more minor examples and how to effectively deal with them.
• Discuss the importance of having effective and appropriate strategies for dealing with all kinds of harassment issues.
• Discuss cultural/environmental behaviour that is accepted as the norm but may well create an environment of harassment for some staff.
• Discuss the issue of harassment and bullying outside of the actual workplace but still within the bounds of a ‘work-related event’ – situations such as social events attended by staff and/or clients, staff drinks, etc.
• Discuss the issue of inappropriate behaviour of clients and outline where this fits within the legislation, the company policy, and how it relates to the responsibilities of management.
• Outline/suggest strategies/skills to deal effectively with client issues of this nature.
• Re-iterate the company’s policy on harassment, discrimination and EEO and invite any related discussion.
• Discuss the processes available to staff with regards to making a complaint of harassment and what the manager’s responsibilities are in this instance.
• Summarise all the above mentioned points and conclude by inviting any additional questions and discussion.

STAFF SEMINAR – CONDUCTED SEPARATELY (approx 90 minute duration)

• Outline the actual definition of harassment and bullying under legislation.
• Outline typical examples of harassment and bullying within this definition using actual workplace-type scenarios to illustrate.
• Demonstrate typical examples of ‘unintentional harassment’ and how this can be inappropriate and could create a hostile environment for other staff.
• Challenge cultural/environmental behaviour that is unacceptable.
• Discuss the issue of inappropriate behaviour of clients and where this fits into the legislation.
• Skills/strategies to deal effectively with this type of client/staff issue.
• Discuss the issue of harassment and bullying outside of the actual workplace but still defined as a ‘work-related event’.
• Outline the company’s policy on harassment, discrimination and EEO.
• Discuss the processes available to staff with regards to articulating an issue of harassment.
• Summarise all the above mentioned points and conclude by inviting any additional questions and discussion.

Firstly, those attending must enjoy the seminar.  All too often the ‘content’ of a presentation becomes the be-all-end-all with little if any consideration given to how the content is delivered.  He believes strongly in presenting information in an engaging, stimulating and group-specific way therefore maximising the impact and benefit to those attending.

Once this goal has been achieved his second goal is to have all staff walking out of the presentation with a greater knowledge and clearer understanding of the subject matter than when they came in.

The greatest benefit of this type of presentation is not so much what happens in the training room, but rather, what occurs afterwards.  The result of staff attending these seminars a workplace issue which is seldom discussed, and is often kept at arms length, such as harassment, becomes better understood, less common and more effectively dealt with.