Identify and Remove Workplace Barriers

Learn how to recognize policies, practices, and behaviors that limit performance, access, engagement and how to address them.

Lead with Accountability and Influence

Develop the skills to positively influence culture, elevate voices, and contribute to environments where people can succeed.

Drive Meaningful Culture Change

Build practical skills to turn values into everyday behaviors and create lasting improvements in how work gets done.

About the Course

Building Cultures That Work is designed for individuals at every level who want to strengthen workplace culture in practical, meaningful ways. This course explores how culture is shaped through everyday decisions, systems, and behaviors, not just policies or statements. Participants will learn how to identify hidden barriers, improve decision-making, and align values with real-world practices. Through reflection, real-world examples, and actionable tools, the course emphasizes accountability, data-informed thinking, and the human side of organizational performance. Whether you lead people directly or influence culture through your role, this course equips you to help build healthier, more effective workplaces where people can do their best work. Ideal for employees, managers, and leaders who want to better understand how culture works and how to positively influence it.

SHRM Recertification Eligible

SHRM Recertification Eligible

Ask Ovell is recognized by SHRM to offer three (3) professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. Professional Development Credits (PDC) Activity Name:  Building Cultures That Work: Leadership, Accountability, and Removing Barriers That Limit Performance Activity ID: 27-N7YXS  3 PDCs for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I’m Ovell Barbee, and I’ll be your guide throughout this learning experience. For more than 30 years, I’ve helped leaders and organizations navigate change, strengthen culture, and elevate leadership in ways that are practical, human-centered, and results-driven. In this course, I’ll share real-world lessons and tools to help you lead with intention, influence outcomes, and create sustainable impact.

Course Curriculum

11 Chapters · 96 Lessons

    1. Title Free preview
    2. SHRM Free preview
    3. (Included in full purchase)

      General Course Acknowledgment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Terms & Conditions / Contract Disclaimer / Legal Disclaimer

    5. Who am I? Free preview
    6. Introduction Free preview
    7. Who is this for? Free preview
    8. How to Use This Study Guide Free preview

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      L1: Exercise 4.1 | Analyze Systemic Barriers | Activity 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2 | Embrace Authenticity, Reject Conformity

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 5.0 | Break Down Barriers | Activity 1

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 5.1 | Break Down Barriers | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 6.0 | Shine Your Light

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 6.2 | Shine Your Light | Activity 2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 7.0 | Advocate for Genuine Inclusion

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L2: Exercise 7.1 | Advocate for Genuine Inclusion | Activity 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 | Unmask the Workplace

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.0 | Unmask the Workplace

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.1 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.2 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 2

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.2 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 2.1

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.2 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 2.2

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.2 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 2.3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 8.2 | Unmask the Workplace | Activity 2.4

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Exercise 9: Break the Cycle

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      L3: Exercise 9.1 | Break the Cycle | Activity 1

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Exercise 10: Commit to Accountability

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4 | Raise Your Hand for Change

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.0 | Break the Silence

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.1 | Break the Silence | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.1 | Break the Silence | Activity 1.1 | Scenario 1

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.1 | Break the Silence | Activity 1.1 | Scenario 1 Questions

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.1 | Break the Silence | Activity 1.2 | Scenario 2

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.1 | Break the Silence | Activity 1.3 | Scenario 3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 11.2 | Break the Silence | Activity 2

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 12.0 | Activate Allyship

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 12.1 | Activate Allyship | Activity 1

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 12.2 | Activate Allyship | Activity 2 | Develop a recognition program to acknowledge and celebrate employees who exemplify allyship in their actions. Use these prompts as a development guide:

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 13.0 | Commit to Change

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      L4: Exercise 13.2 | Commit to Change | Activity 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 | Embrace a Human-Centered Workplace

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 14.0 | Adapt to a Multi-Generational Workforce

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 14.1 | Adapt to a Multi-Generational Workforce | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 14.2 | Adapt to a Multi-Generational Workforce | Activity 2

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.0 |Meet Employees Where They Are

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1 | Scenario 1

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1.1 | Scenario 1 Questions

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1 | Scenario 2

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1 | Scenario 3

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1.4 | Key Takeaway Question

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 15.1 | Meet Employees Where They Are | Activity 1.4 | Key Takeaway

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 16 | Strengthen Retention

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 16 | Strengthen Retention

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      L5: Exercise 16.0 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6 | Own Your Voice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 17.0 | Set Workplace Boundaries

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 17.1 | Set Workplace Boundaries | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 17.2 | Set Workplace Boundaries | Activity 2

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 18.0 | Speak Up for Yourself

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 18.1 | Speak Up for Yourself | Activity 1

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L6: Exercise 18.2 | Speak Up for Yourself | Activity 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7 | Fix the System, Not The Symptoms

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.0 | Strengthen Retention

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.1 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.2 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 2.1

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.2 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 2.2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.2 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 2.3

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 19.3 | Strengthen Retention| Activity 3

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20 | Data is the Difference!

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20 | Data is the Difference!

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.1 | Data is the Difference! | Case Study 1.1 | Scenario 1

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.1 | Data is the Difference! | Case Study 1.2 | Scenario 2

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.2 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 2

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.3 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 3 | Part 1

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.3 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 3 | Part 2

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.3 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 3 | Part 3

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.3 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 3 | Part 4

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      L7: Exercise 20.3.1 | Data is the Difference! | Activity 3.1 | Part 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8 | Govern for Equitable Outcomes

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8 Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      L8: Exercise 21 | Leadership Accountability | Activity 1

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      L8: Exercise 22.1 | Leadership Accountability | Activity 1

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      L8: Exercise 23.1 | Align DEI & Business Strategy | Activity 1 | Review the three pillars of DEI governance

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Keep Moving!

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Keep Moving!

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Glossary of Key Terms

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Glossary of Key Terms Cont.

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Ovel SHRM

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Thank You from Ovell Barbee!

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Thank You!

Take the Next Step Toward Building a Culture That Works!

Enroll now to gain practical tools and strategies to strengthen workplace culture, remove barriers, increase accountability, and create an environment where people and performance can thrive.

$299.99

Enroll Now Get a Free Preview