Fostering inclusivity is necessary for organizations to thrive. In addition to navigating business obstacles, leaders are challenged to be more than just decision makers. They must also be architects of change that steer their organizations away from practices that often exclude people in favor of systems that actively draw people into conversations, meeting rooms and decision-making processes.
There are many ways to cultivate a workplace where each individual feels valued for their effort and contributions. Below, a panel of Forbes Business Council members share strategies for breaking down barriers and building an organizational culture that promotes inclusivity.
1. Make Space For Everyone To Speak
I like and want to hear from everyone around the table, including reactions from less-tenured people, more-tenured people and people with various areas of expertise. This practice puts people on equal footing, removes blindspots and yields the best input, not to mention making people feel valued and more inclined to contribute. – Martha Holler, ShinePR
2. Actively Listen
If you want to make your team feel included, talk to them and really listen. It sounds simple, but opening up communication and actively asking for different perspectives can make a world of difference. When everyone knows that their voice counts, they feel a sense of belonging and that’s when you see creativity really take off. It’s not just about tolerating differences but celebrating them. – Joseph Toma, Jugo
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3. Create Flexible Work Options For Employees
Embrace remote and hybrid work. It has been a game-changer for those living with certain chronic conditions or disabilities. For example, people living with autoimmune disease are immunocompromised and may be prone to fatigue. By eliminating commute time, you’re allowing them to save their energy and avoid getting sick so they can get the job done. – Lilly Stairs, Patient Authentic
4. Utilize Chat Functions During Virtual Meetings
Make use of the chat function during virtual meetings. Doing this creates a parallel conversation that often includes people who are not comfortable interrupting others or taking the floor. Also, use quick online polls for decision making to ensure that everyone has an equal voice. – Cai Kjaer, SWOOP Analytics
5. Provide Unconscious Bias Training
Unconscious bias training helps promote inclusivity by making employees aware of hidden prejudices. It elevates decision making and encourages fair treatment across diverse groups. Leaders trained in this are better at mentoring diverse talent, improving employee engagement and reducing legal risks. It is also important to note that this training is an ongoing effort. – Anne Bibb, Ethos Support
6. Promote Collaboration Between Employees
Promote teamwork. When people from diverse backgrounds work together towards common goals, it builds trust, which helps break down stereotypes. Encourage team collaboration across all groups of employees. – Jennifer Green, Procurall Solutions
7. Prioritize Inclusivity In Hiring Practices
It all starts with the hiring process. When leaders prioritize hiring employees from various backgrounds, the organization immediately becomes a place that brings different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. This will lead to more innovative and creative solutions. – Barbara Schreihans, Your Tax Coach LLC
8. Create Employee Resource Groups
One effective practice that leaders can leverage to promote inclusivity in their organizations is the establishment of ERGs or employee resource groups. ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups formed around common dimensions of diversity, such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability and more. – Lala Elizondo, Tule Capital
9. Support New Employees With Mentoring
One way to foster inclusivity is by implementing mentorship programs. These programs pair seasoned professionals with newer or underrepresented employees to guide their career trajectories and provide them with insights. By ensuring that diverse employees have guidance and visibility, organizations can make significant strides in cultivating an inclusive environment that recognizes and celebrates differences. – Catherine Wehlburg, Athens State University
10. Expand Your Networking To Reach New Talent Pools
The biggest tangible barrier for talented people from atypical backgrounds is that they often can’t access the networks and personal connections that lead to the most jobs. The smart thing to do as an employer is to reach beyond your usual networks to connect with people who do have authentic access to underleveraged talent. – Udaiyan Jatar, Tecton
11. Improve Feedback Systems For Better Team Performance
Effective feedback mechanisms promote inclusivity in an organization. When business leaders create systems that encourage constructive and sincere feedback across strata, and the feedback is reflected in organizational decision making, this promotes a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the organization. Allowing and incorporating feedback fosters collaboration, synergy and teamwork within the workforce. – Oluyemi Obadare, Certification Partner Global, West Africa
12. Increase Empathy Through Curiosity
Add “curiosity” to your corporate values. When everyone in the company can embrace a curious and judgment-free mindset about others’ unique needs, beliefs, experiences and opinions, then we can create more harmony and empathy within organizations. This allows everyone to be more open-minded, flexible, adaptive and compassionate while also elevating our creativity about how we think, act and lead. – Andreea Vanacker, SPARKX5
13. Make Time For Genuine Connections
Lead with empathy by seeing each person’s humanity. Having real conversations, listening deeply without judgment and seeking to understand the lived experiences of others builds trust and community. When people feel seen, heard and valued, it creates an inclusive culture of belonging. And it’s simply the right thing to do. As leaders, we must set the example of recognizing each person’s worth. – Gajen Kandiah, Hitachi Vantara
14. Bring Employees Into Decision Making
Leaders can promote inclusivity by seeking to fully involve employees in decision-making processes rather than only allowing their involvement in minimal or strictly necessary situations. This is especially effective because employees want to be involved in decisions that affect them and they want to understand how their input will be incorporated. The leader’s role is to be clear on the decision and the decision-making method, then ask questions and listen. – Chris Williams, Interaction Associates
15. Make A Habit Of Seeking Multiple Perspectives
Regularly valuing diverse perspectives in decision making fosters inclusivity by ensuring all voices are heard. This leads to better solutions and a more inclusive culture. – Steven Thomas, MILESTONE CONCEPT GmbH
16. Schedule Times For Open Sharing
Open sessions allow people to share different points of view and try out new ideas, giving them a chance to say what they think, share insights from their own unique points of view and share ideas that might not be heard otherwise. Encourage your employees to think outside the box and share different points of view to encourage a sense of safety and belonging. – Myrtle Anne Ramos, Block Tides
17. Share Gratitude To Foster A Strong Team
No matter your role in an organization, you’re always part of a team. I make it a habit to frequently pick up the phone or send an email to all levels of the organization to express sincere appreciation for employees’ hard work, creativity and efforts to live by our values. As a leader, how you act, think and speak directly affects your teammates and is a reflection on you. It is important to lead by example. – Tom Nolan, Kendra Scott
18. Encourage Employees To Get To Know Each Other
Inclusivity starts with knowledge. One fairly unique way we promote inclusivity revolves around knowing our employees. We use an intra-company social media-style site on our SharePoint server that shares a photo and a short personal bio of every employee. This bio includes not only their professional background, but also information that each person voluntarily shares about their personal lives and likes. – Thomas Dunlap, Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig
19. Invite Team Members To Contribute
A simple practice leaders can leverage to promote inclusivity is simply asking specific individuals on a team, “What do you think about that?” By asking members of a team to share their thoughts and then providing a safe space and attention to listen, leaders can gain diverse opinions that they may not otherwise be privy to. – Sara Khaki, Atlanta Divorce Law Group
20. Build Trust Through Vulnerability
Inclusivity is all about creating trust. One effective practice is radical honesty. Open up about challenges, successes and failures, thereby creating a safe space for dialogue. When leaders demonstrate vulnerability, they encourage others to voice their perspectives by creating an environment where everyone feels seen and heard. Inclusivity isn’t built overnight, but fostering trust and openness paves the way. – Amiee Ball, JAB Consulting Group
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