Introduction:

Graham Windham, a human services organization based in New York City, has been a change maker providing support for children, families, and communities since 1806. With a mission deeply rooted in fostering safety and well-being, Graham operates in some of New York’s most under-resourced areas, including the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn. The organization employs over 500 staff members who are committed to making a positive impact in these communities.

This case study delves into how Graham collaborated with Bravely to enhance the well-being and development of their employees, ultimately creating a culture that prioritizes psychological safety and growth. Nicole DuBois, CHRO at Graham, highlighted the impact of this partnership during the webinar “Creating a Culture of Employee Well-Being and Growth at Graham,” where she shared insights into how Bravely’s coaching played a role in helping Graham earn the prestigious “Top Workplace in the USA” recognition.

The challenge:

Looking to support their team and further advance their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Graham held Town Halls and multiple conversations with their employees. The organization aimed to build on its DEI work by focusing explicitly on anti-Black racism. However, an assessment revealed a significant gap in psychological safety among staff, which became a critical barrier to achieving their goals.

At the same time, Graham’s supervisors and frontline staff were overwhelmed by the demands of their roles. The stress of regulatory requirements, coupled with the emotional toll of their work in vulnerable communities, exacerbated the need for robust emotional wellness and support systems. The organization realized that without addressing these issues, their DEI initiatives and overall workplace culture could not thrive.

The solution:

In search of solutions, Nicole DuBois, the CHRO at Graham, discovered Bravely through online research. Intrigued by the platform’s potential, Nicole quickly signed up for a demo. What she found exceeded her expectations—Bravely offered a unique coaching solution that could address the very challenges Graham was facing.

Bravely’s platform provided 24/7 access to professional coaches who could offer personalized support to both supervisors and individual contributors. This was important to Nicole, as other platforms focused primarily on support and development for leaders:

“It was so clear to us that Bravely was accessible. [With] other coaching options…I found that oftentimes the focus is on executive-level staff. Or what might feel like to some, an elite…It was so clear to us, especially after several demos and lots of conversations with staff, that that was not the case with Bravely.” – Nicole DuBois

The coaching sessions were designed to enhance psychological safety, manage stress, and foster emotional wellness. Additionally, Bravely’s resources supported Graham’s broader learning and development goals, integrating seamlessly into their DEI framework.

The impact:

With Bravely’s coaching, Graham was able to:

• Enhance psychological safety: The coaching sessions helped create an environment where staff felt safer to express themselves, leading to more open and constructive conversations.
• Support overloaded managers: Bravely provided supervisors with the tools and support they needed to manage their teams effectively, reducing burnout and improving overall team dynamics.
• Foster emotional wellness: Through targeted coaching, staff were equipped with strategies to manage stress and maintain emotional balance.
• Expand learning and development: Bravely’s coaching provided a new avenue for personal and professional growth. Facing a challenge in the flow of work, employees can meet 1:1 with a coach to learn a skill or strategy that they can then apply directly at work.  

“To have employees walk away from session one and or session two, feeling like in that session, by the close of the session, ‘I walked away feeling more positive and, feeling like I have a concrete skill that I can apply.’ That was meaningful.” – Nicole DuBois

The utilization of Bravely’s coaching sessions was also very high, with many employees taking advantage of the platform’s easy-to-use booking system. They appreciated the simplicity and accessibility of the platform, making it easy for them to schedule sessions that fit into their busy lives.

“We were provided with a report on feedback [from employees] about how the coaching sessions went, and how easy it was to navigate the platform, and so on. And one of the things that was really cool to discover is that scheduling a session? It’s super easy.” – Nicole DuBois

These efforts culminated in Graham being recognized as a “Top Workplace in the USA” in 2024 by USA Today and a top workplace in New York City by AM New York. These accolades are a testament to the transformative strategies that Nicole and her team implemented at Graham, and the impact that Bravely’s coaching had on the organization’s culture.

Conclusion:

Bravely’s partnership with Graham Windham highlights the power of coaching in driving organizational change. By addressing psychological safety, supporting leaders, and fostering emotional wellness, Bravely played a pivotal role in helping Graham create a thriving, inclusive workplace. This case study underscores the value of innovative coaching solutions in achieving not only DEI goals but also broader organizational success.