DESIGNING IN-HOUSE CULTURAL INCLUSION LISTENING CIRCLES
How to Plan, Run, and Report on Listening Circles with Cultural Safety and Sensitivity
FOR TIME-POOR PROFESSIONALS TASKED WITH DESIGNING AND FACILITATING LISTENING CIRCLES
DELIVERY OPTIONS:
PROFESSIONAL COACHING | CONSULTING (done-for-you design and delivery)
ENQUIRE NOWHOW TO PLAN, RUN, AND REPORT ON LISTENING CIRCLES WITH CULTURAL SAFETY AND SENSITIVITY
_
Designing and facilitating Listening Circles doesn't have to feel overwhelming or fraught with cultural pitfalls.
As a qualified intercultural business consultant, I’ll help you map out your approach, avoid common missteps, and save time by giving you the tools and structure you need – all based on a tried-and-tested method used in government agencies.
You’ll walk away with the confidence, templates, and validation to run inclusive, effective Listening Circles – without reinventing the wheel.
Choose from two delivery options:
- Professional Coaching (1-on-1 or small group coaching sessions)
- Consulting (done-for-you delivery, including planning, facilitation, and report-writing)
Craig Shim, Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists
P.S. This coaching is based on my first-hand experience designing and facilitating Listening Circles for multiple Australian Government agencies, engaging hundreds of participants across various departments, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of The Treasury, and The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
ENQUIRE NOWABOUT THIS PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
_
This coaching package gives you a clear, step-by-step roadmap for designing and delivering Listening Circles with cultural safety and inclusivity – without wasting time figuring it out from scratch.
Instead of reinventing the wheel, you’ll access ready-made templates, planning tools and facilitation strategies developed by a qualified intercultural business consultant.
You’ll learn how to reverse-engineer your project – starting with the end goal in mind – so that your Listening Circles generate meaningful insights and quotes that feed directly into your final report and strategy.
OBJECTIVE
_
Equip yourself with the step-by-step process, practical tools, and cultural insights to deliver Listening Circles that are both inclusive and strategically impactful.
DURATION
_
Professional Coaching: Choose from a 2-session or 4-session coaching package (each session is 90 minutes), delivered virtually by qualified intercultural business coach Craig Shim
Consulting (done-for-you design and delivery): Tailored to your project needs. As a guide:
- 1 week for project and instructional design
- 1–2 weeks for facilitating Listening Circles (depending on number of sessions)
- 2–3 weeks for report-writing and recommendations
COST
_
Professional Coaching (2 × 90-minute virtual sessions):
AUD 2,144 / USD 1,395 / GBP 1,050
Want more time to go deeper, cover additional topics, or get tailored feedback on your draft outputs? A four-session package is also available – click the ‘Ready to Start?’ button below for full details.
Consulting (done-for-you design and delivery):
Quote available on request – click the ‘Enquire Now’ button below.
KEY TOPICS
_
Project planning – navigating cultural nuances, preventing disengagement, and planning for common risks (e.g. low registrations, psychological safety)
Logistical preparation – includes ready-to-use templates, checklists, and sample slide decks
Culturally safe facilitation techniques – managing group dynamics and cultural complexity
Generating actionable insights – avoiding talkfests and surfacing meaningful input
Post-session engagement – planning follow-up with Listening Circle participants
Data analysis – interpreting qualitative feedback in a culturally safe way
Report writing – ensuring insights lead to actionable, inclusive strategy
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
_
Public sector leaders facilitating or planning to facilitate listening circles
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) specialists aiming to enhance cultural inclusion
HR professionals and team leaders managing multicultural teams
Organisational development managers integrating cultural safety practices
A Note for Australian Government Agencies
This program aligns with the APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment (CALD) Strategy and Action Plan, supporting your efforts to address the following headline actions:
- Headline Action 2 Cultural Understanding: Build a curated collection of multimedia learning resources. Outcome A: The experience and contributions of CALD employees are shared and reflected in greater intercultural understanding. Outcome B: Our greater intercultural understanding enables us to harness the wealth and depth of expertise available across the APS. Outcome C: Best practice is promoted and collaboratively implemented across the APS.
- Headline Action 5 Representation: Reflect the population we serve and throughout the APS to represent diversity cohorts fairly. Outcomes: There is an increase in the pipeline of CALD employees in SES roles, and the APS reflects and respects cultural diversity at all levels.
CHALLENGES ADDRESSED
_
I don’t have the time to research and design everything from scratch – I need a ready-made approach that’s culturally inclusive, trusted, and proven to work.
I know there are cultural risks and potential pitfalls in running Listening Circles, but I’m not sure what I might be missing – and I can’t afford to get this wrong.
I need our Listening Circles to produce meaningful, actionable insights – not just surface-level feedback or unstructured discussion.
ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS
_
Save time and effort with a structured, step-by-step process that helps you design and deliver Listening Circles confidently – without reinventing the wheel.
Use proven techniques and ready-made tools to ensure cultural inclusion is built in from the start – and avoid missteps that could derail engagement.
Turn your Listening Circles into a catalyst for real change by surfacing insights that directly inform strategy and next steps – not just more conversation.
TESTIMONIALS
“This was one of the most culturally respectful approaches I’ve seen.”
_
Craig created an environment where our culturally diverse staff and also our Anglo staff felt genuinely safe to share their experiences — without it becoming performative or tokenistic. The insights from the Listening Circles directly informed how we shaped our next inclusion strategy.
— Assistant Director of Inclusion Programs, Commonwealth Government Agency
“It surfaced what surveys never could.”
_
We thought we had a clear picture from our engagement data — but the Listening Circles revealed what people weren’t saying in formal channels. The way Craig designed the sessions gave us deep, nuanced insights we wouldn’t have captured otherwise.
— Organisational Development Lead, State-Owned Corporation
“It wasn’t just about listening — it was what we did with the insights that mattered.”
_
What stood out was how actionable the outcomes were. Craig’s summary of the Listening Circle findings helped us prioritise tangible changes in our onboarding process and team culture. It’s become a reference point for broader inclusion efforts across our organisation.
— People & Culture Director, International Health NGO
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Compare and Choose Between Delivery Options
_
PROFESSIONAL COACHING (Click to expand)
CONSULTING: DONE-FOR-YOU DESIGN & DELIVERY (Click to expand)
ENQUIRE
PROFESSIONAL COACHING AND CONSULTING
ENQUIRE NOW
_
Submit your enquiry by providing a few details in this Enquiry Form, and I'll be in touch as soon as I receive your response.
- I’ll personally review your responses to help customise my reply and next steps.
- You’re not committed to purchase at this stage - this is simply to help me understand how I can best support you.
- If you’re unsure how to answer a question, just type something like "unsure" and continue.
- Your information will be kept confidential and will only be read by me. For more details, please refer to my Privacy Policy
By clicking "Submit" you agree for me to email you at this address with intercultural tips and important updates only. I don't send spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Contact me via the Contact page if you require help.
READY TO GET STARTED?
BOOK NOW
2-SESSION COACHING PACKAGE
_
- Two x 90-minute virtual coaching sessions with Craig Shim, qualified intercultural business coach
- 100% tailored to your specific needs and professional context
- Available as one-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants)
4-SESSION COACHING PACKAGE
_
- Four x 90-minute virtual coaching sessions with Craig Shim, qualified intercultural business coach
- 100% tailored to your specific needs and professional context
- Available as one-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants)
A QUICK INTRODUCTION: CRAIG SHIM
_
As a qualified intercultural business consultant, I specialise in enhancing cross-cultural business and relational skills. Having lived abroad for much of my career before returning to Australia, I've gained valuable insights into how cultural competency is crucial for building strong relationships. Drawing on this experience, I provide coaching, training, and advice to corporate and government clients to boost their cross-cultural capabilities.
My intercultural guidance is trusted by companies like Boeing, Nike, PepsiCo, and Mastercard, as well as the Australian Government and United Nations agencies. I also serve on several advisory panels, including those for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commission.
Craig Shim, Director, Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists
