TEKsystems Rolls Out Perspectives Program to Thousands to Bolster Company Team Dynamics
TEKsystems partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute to strengthen communication and collaboration skills across its workforce. Initially integrated into leadership development programs, CDI’s Perspectives curriculum helped emerging leaders navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and foster effective dialogue. Following a period of national unrest in 2020, TEKsystems expanded the program organization-wide to support constructive conversations across the company.
The Challenge
TEKsystems, a leading IT services and consulting company, invests heavily in leadership development to drive business performance and strengthen team effectiveness. After the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, TEKsystems’ leaders observed rising political polarization across the broader workforce and recognized a potential threat to productive collaboration and decision-making.
While the company had a strong organizational culture, they were mindful of how national tensions could disrupt team cohesion and hinder innovation. Leaders believed it was essential to equip employees with the tools to engage in healthy conflict, challenge ideas constructively, and maintain strong working relationships, even when perspectives differed. In 2018, TEKsystems partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to enhance their leadership development programs with dialogue skills grounded in behavioral science.
The Partnership
The partnership began with the integration of Perspectives into leadership tracks aimed at developing communication and conflict navigation skills. Leaders were drawn to the behavioral science approach behind the curriculum and recognized its potential to improve collaboration across differing perspectives.
In 2020, during a time of heightened societal tension, TEKsystems launched a company-wide initiative—Conversations that Matter—to create space for open and respectful dialogue. CDI’s Perspectives program was scaled across the organization to support this effort, providing employees with practical tools for engaging in challenging conversations.
Today, TEKsystems continues to embed Perspectives into its leadership development strategy and maintains ongoing access for all employees through its Learning Management System, reinforcing a culture of curiosity, trust, and shared understanding.
Outcomes
Employees felt more comfortable expressing their views with colleagues and were less likely to avoid conversations with those who disagree with them
Improved confidence among employees in their ability to apply what they learned to enhance their effectiveness in their roles.
Strengthened communication skills for navigating difficult conversations both at work and in personal life.
Perspectives has helped us increase the skill and capability of our current and future leaders to know themselves better so they can lead others more effectively…I would without reservation encourage you to engage with CDI.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, TEKsystems plans to continue leveraging CDI's tools. TEKsystem leaders see these tools as integral to building a resilient and adaptable organizational culture capable of thriving amid ongoing social changes and technological advancements. The emphasis on cultivating a growth mindset and intellectual humility is expected to remain a priority at TEKsystems, helping the company maintain its competitive edge by fostering an environment where all ideas are heard and the best ones prevail.