Policies Don’t Create Culture — People Do: Restoring Civility, Connection & Community at Work

When
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Location
SD Tech by Alexandria, 9605 Scranton Rd. San Diego, CA 92121
Spaces left
41

Registration

Annual Sponsor
Board Guest
Board Member
Early Bird Member Registration – $40.00
Early Bird Pricing for Individual and Corporate Members
Early Bird Non-Member Registration – $60.00
Early Bird Pricing for Non-Members (subscribers)
Early Bird Students/Military Registration – $35.00
Students currently enrolled in Human Resources or related programs can receive member pricing with proof of enrollment, as well as active military personnel and veterans.
Member Registration – $50.00
Member Pricing for Individual and Corporate Members
Non-Member Registration – $70.00
Pricing for non-members (subscribers)
Speaker
Students/Military Registration – $45.00
Students currently enrolled in Human Resources or related programs can receive member pricing with proof of enrollment, as well as active military personnel and veterans.

Register

Policies Don’t Create Culture — People Do: Restoring Civility, Connection & Community at Work

Hosted by The Leadership Edge and The Alexandria SD Tech Center, the industry leading campus for tech and life science companies.

In today’s fast-paced, polarized, and increasingly digital workplaces, organizations are discovering that policies alone cannot create a healthy culture; people and daily interactions do. This session explores how civility and respect serve as the foundation for trust, collaboration, and psychological safety, ultimately driving engagement and performance. Participants will examine the hidden costs of workplace incivility and disconnection, and why belonging is built through small, consistent leadership behaviors rather than large initiatives.

Drawing on research from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and real-world leadership experience, this session provides practical tools leaders and HR professionals can immediately apply to strengthen connection and rebuild community at work. Attendees will learn how to model respectful communication, navigate tension constructively, and foster environments where employees feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute. Through interactive reflection and actionable strategies, participants will leave equipped to transform everyday moments into culture-shaping opportunities. The result is not just a kinder workplace but a stronger, more resilient organization.

Learn how to:

Describe how civility and respect contribute to trust, psychological safety, and organizational performance.
Recognize the hidden costs of workplace incivility—including disengagement, turnover, and reduced collaboration—and their impact on culture.
Apply practical leadership behaviors and communication strategies that strengthen connection, belonging, and everyday positive interactions.
Navigate tension and difficult moments constructively to model the behaviors that build a resilient, inclusive workplace community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Our Guest Speaker:

Devin C. Hughes

Devin C. Hughes is an award‑winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert on workplace culture, belonging, and leadership. Known for his dynamic storytelling and evidence‑based insights, Devin helps organizations transform disengaged, siloed environments into connected, high‑performing cultures where people thrive.

Drawing on decades of experience advising Fortune 100 companies, startups, and mission‑driven organizations—including Disney, Google, State Farm, Lockheed Martin, and the Department of Defense—he delivers practical frameworks leaders can immediately apply to strengthen engagement, communication, and collaboration.

A special thank you to The Leadership Edge, our monthly sponsor, for their valued partnership and support of the SDHR Forum and San Diego HR community.

Contact – The Leadership Edge