Inclusiveness is THE leadership quality you need to cultivate

Why do organizations lump Diversity in with Inclusion?
Questions that are on my mind today:
Why do organizations lump Diversity in with Inclusion?
Okay, I do understand…. But does it serve an organization to lump them together? I often hear people talk about diversity as the “mix” – that’s casual for counting the who’s and what’s. Diversity is about who’s being hired and promoted and what their backgrounds / characteristics / identities are (disability, gender, ethnicity, etc.). And inclusion is about the how.
How welcoming is the workplace for people who are not from the organization’s (or society’s) dominant group? I see inclusiveness as an art. It’s the music of your workplace and if you’re really inclusive, you can follow that music from everyday encounters into the behaviors and performance reviews. You see, a truly inclusive workplace fully integrates those values in all its norms, rules and systems for reward and advancement.
So, I do understand why organizations lump D&I together. But now it’s time for my big HOWEVER… wouldn’t it make more sense to make Inclusion one of the more important, if not THE most important, skill for Leadership?
Please name one skill that Leaders need more, especially in this day and age:
Communication – well, I’d say inclusiveness is part of the art of communication. You need to communicate your goals clearly and you need to win buy-in. If inclusiveness is front and center in Leadership, you make everyone an insider in your mission.
Motivation – nuff said.
Creativity – We all know that inclusiveness encourages a diverse workforce to be more innovative and studies show, more profitable.
Inclusion, or the more active, inclusiveness is at the heart of being a leader. As a leader, you want to include everyone in your dream, your vision, your strategy and tactics. That can’t happen when people are at the table but they’re not encouraged to share everything they’ve got just because they’re not of the majority group. Let’s do this. This is why I make the films and courses and workshops I do.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Although I’ve turned off comments because of robots on the web, please email me. I’ll continue in another post another day.
More From Our Blog…
Navigating Thanksgiving – Speak Up or Stay Silent?
Tis the day before Thanksgiving and all through the land, people are anxious. Amidst the joy of the holiday—cherishing togetherness, celebrating with family and friends, and expressing gratitude— there's a potential for discomfort as opinions are shared and points of...
Hidden Hurdles: How Racial Segregation and Discrimination Hinder Black Professional Networks
In the United States, racial segregation and discrimination have cast long and oppressive shadows over the lives of Black individuals. While we often discuss the many consequences of these systemic injustices, one aspect that deserves more attention is their impact on...
Confronting the Backlash: The DEI Imperative
“Three short years after their collective response to massive protests over the police murder of George Floyd, companies are reneging on their diversity pledges." In their recent MIT Sloan Review article titled "Countering the Corporate Diversity Backlash,"...
Announcing the New SunShower App
After months of development, the new SunShower Learning learner app is now ready for prime time. Access a free download here:iTunes App StoreGoogle Play Store When you purchase a license for one or more of our award-winning eLearning courses and opt for delivery...
The Day I Remained Silent: Confronting Discrimination and Stereotypes
By Gina Miller We all have moments in our lives that we look back on with regret, wishing we had acted differently. One such moment for me was the day I didn't speak up in the face of discrimination and stereotypes. It's a story I've carried with me, serving as a...
Brave Marketing Is Good Business When It Comes to DEI
“Kantar’s ‘Brand Inclusion Index’ found that not only is there a financial advantage to a strong DEI strategy, but that there is still plenty of room to stand out.” According to a new report, a lack of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) could be costing businesses...
SunShower Learning: Unconscious Bias Training That Works
"Most [DEI] programs end exactly where they should start." "Only 10% of training programs gave attendees strategies for reducing bias. Imagine a weight-loss program that told participants to step on a scale and left it at that." - Harvard Business Review...
3 Strategies for Responding to Microaggressions
"I’m not biased against gay people. I have a gay friend." "You don't sound Black," or "How long have you lived in this country?” Have you ever overheard or been on the receiving end of a comment like this? If so, did you know how to respond? Being prepared in advance...
Mission Impossible, Jack Reacher and Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts?
Information is the death of emotion What do SunShower Learning courses have in common with Christopher McQuarrie’s famous films, including Mission Impossible and Jack Reacher? Well, when McQuarrie says, “Information is the death of emotion,” we know what he’s talking...
When Barbie Meets AI
What happened when artificial Intelligence (AI) was used to imagine Barbie dolls in cultures around the world? Probably not what you'd expect for a brand that has gained a massive following for breaking down barriers and, more recently, advocating for social and...