In today’s diverse workplaces, inclusive leadership is more important than ever. However, only one in three leaders truly understand how inclusive their leadership style is. Many leaders may believe they are more inclusive than their colleagues perceive them to be, while others lack confidence in their inclusivity, hindering their ability to challenge the status quo and guide their teams effectively.
The Impact of Inclusive Leadership
Inclusive leadership is crucial in fostering psychological safety and a sense of belonging among team members. When leaders practice inclusive behaviors, it creates a work environment where individuals feel treated fairly, safe, and valued. This positive atmosphere leads to improved organizational performance, adaptability, innovation, and the retention of diverse talent.
Six Traits of Inclusive Leadership
Deloitte identified six fundamental characteristics of inclusive leadership through their interactions with world leaders and employee surveys. These traits serve as cornerstones for guiding leaders in effectively fostering diversity and inclusion within their teams and organizations, propelling positive change, and empowering team members to reach their full potential.
- Curiosity: Inclusive leaders embody curiosity, openness, and a genuine interest in understanding others. They actively engage in empathetic listening, free from judgment, recognizing that diverse perspectives drive innovation and cultivate organizational growth.
- A crucial quality of inclusive leaders is cognition, which shows up in their self-awareness of their own biases and those ingrained in the system. They wholeheartedly commit to dismantling these barriers, paving the way for greater inclusivity.
- Cultural Intelligence: Cultural intelligence is a distinguishing trait of inclusive leaders who recognize the inherent strength present in diversity, particularly within teams. They adeptly harness these differences to optimize team performance and drive collective success.
- Courage: Inclusive leaders acknowledge their mistakes and create an environment that encourages contributions from others.
- Collaboration: Collaboration is paramount for inclusive leaders who highly value diverse thinking and actively empower their team members. Promoting psychological safety fosters an environment where every voice is valued, thus inspiring creativity and innovation.
- Commitment: Commitment lies at the core of inclusive leadership, as these leaders resolutely challenge the status quo and prioritize diversity and inclusion as fundamental pillars of their leadership philosophy. Their unwavering dedication drives meaningful change, propelling organizations toward greater inclusivity and success.
Five Ways to Become a More Inclusive Leader
To develop inclusive leadership skills, consider the following strategies:
- Invite your team to shadow you, exposing them to new experiences and explaining decision-making processes.
- Engage everyone in conversations, seeking thoughts and suggestions from diverse backgrounds.
- Value others’ perspectives by actively seeking input from individuals who differ from you.
- Expand your network by connecting with people who bring different perspectives to the table.
- Ask questions and learn about your colleagues’ experiences to build empathy and situational awareness.
Transforming Company Culture
Gradually implementing these strategies can kick-start a change in company culture. Leaders can foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to thrive by listening, respecting, and encouraging team members to grow.
