Cultivating Inclusion: Help People Succeed as Themselves!

Over the years a considerable amount has been written about creating more diverse workplaces. As I was writing The Dynamic Introvert I became aware of the fact that introverts often feel excluded, especially when it comes to leadership opportunities. Of course introverts are not the only ones who feel this way which begs the question, “how do we create workplaces and schools that are inclusive for everyone?”.

Diversity is the NORM but inclusion is not.

Not long ago I read an article urging readers to “start building actively inclusive environments”. This makes more sense to me than focusing on, for example, increasing the number of disabled workers, or the number of transgendered people, or the number of introverts in management/leadership positions.

According to Meri Williams of Agile People in Sweden,

“We must help people succeed as themselves and decrease the impact of failure and the risk of humiliation.”

What a brilliant idea!

But what would an actively inclusive environment look like???

“An inclusive workplace is one where all differences brought to the workplace are recognized. Where people feel valued and that their contribution is considered important.” Step-up B.C.

There always seems to be one marginalized group or another or even whole groups of people who are excluded from participating fully. Diversity programs are not new and are even mandated in some places.

Vancity Credit Union’s work inclusion program “aims to increase the number of employees with disabilities in the credit union’s workforce.”

Often a person’s disability is obvious but not always. Sometimes we can hide who we really are in order to fit into the existing culture. Gays, lesbians and transgendered people might fit into this category. But pretending to be someone you are not can take its toll:

“People perform better when they can be themselves. As much as 40% better. Much energy is spent if you have to hide who you really are or pretend to be something you are not.” Stonewall,

How do we create a more inclusive workplace?

 Start with a VISION of what that would look like in  your organization. Include everyone in this work. Years ago I attended an OD workshop in which the President of the White Spot Restaurant chain, which, by the way, is one of the most successful restaurants in B.C., talked about how his company had taken 3 years to create its vision and how they had tried to involve as many employees as possible during that time. One of the participants asked him what he would do differently next time around and he said, “He would provide more opportunities for people to be involved in the  process.”

Here are a few more things you can do to create a more inclusive workplace:

1. Be a learner. Be willing to challenge yourself and grow.
2. Be inquisitive. Seek a range of perspectives.
3. Model inclusive behaviours. Demonstrate that “none of us is as smart as all of us.”
4. Champion the change effort. Be an active advocate for change.
5. Speak out when necessary. Hold the organization accountable.
6. Hold yourself and your colleagues accountable for all of the above.