What is Inclusive Leadership about?
‘Inclusive leadership means having the courage to take conscious steps to break down barriers for diverse people.
Inclusive leaders embody a leadership approach that appreciates diversity, invites and welcomes everyone’s individual contribution, and encourages full engagement with the processes of decision-making and shaping reality.
The aim of inclusive leadership is to create, change and innovate whilst balancing everybody’s needs.’
The focus of Inclusive Leadership is on:
- Relationships
- Value of personal differences
It is about „doing things with people, not to people” – E. Hollander
There is a need for leaders to be inclusive in order to strengthen team spirit and empower individuals to co-create.
Inclusive Leadership and D&I
DIVERSITY
- Refers to the differences that make individuals unique.
- The concept of bringing different people together in the same place.
- Achieved when recruiters aim towards heterogeneity and find any biases in the hiring process.
- Relies on inclusion for successful execution.
INCLUSION
- Refers to the conscious efforts, behaviours, policies, and norms to make every person feel seen, heard, and valued with their unique differences.
- The strategies and methods that help diversity work in an organization.
- Achieved when all members in an organization feel psychologically safe and included.
- Is vital for diversity to work.
Why care about Inclusive Leadership?
In accordance with Deloitte Insights, organizations with inclusive cultures are:
2x as likely to meet or exceed financial targets
3x as likely to be hight-performing
6x more likely to be innovative and agile
8x more likely to achive better business outcomes
Qualities of inclusive leaders – what do they display?
How to develop own Inclusive Leadership style?
Reflect on any biases or assumptions you have and strive to remain nonjudgmental
Remain open and positive during discussions.
Engage passive team members and motivate them to feel confident and comfortable giving input and feedback
Create ways for your team to learn about each others’ differences, cultural experiences and perspectives
Provide feedback so that your team develops more inclusive behaviors
Accept your personal vulnerabilities and allow others to see them. That sets an example for others to follow
Find a mentor or someone with more experience in managing diverse teams
If you want to learn more about this topic, check the full webinar: Inclusive Leadership
Run your training with us!
If you want to work on your leadership skills needed in an intercultural or remote cooperation, ETTA Leadership & Culture specialises in and provides training on development programmes for leaders and teams. See the offer.
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