The Inclusion Challenge: How To Weather Inclusion Fluctuations

There are powerful benefits in inclusion, yet we struggle with being consistently inclusive. We have many lists (DiversityInc Top 50, Glassdoor, Great Places to Work, Catalyst, Human Rights Campaign Equality Index, etc.) that applaud inclusive organizations for their continued efforts and results. Still, time and time again, we bear witness to those organizations encountering inclusion hiccups along the way. So what gives? 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it, inclusion is hard work. Some of us are up for tackling the inclusion challenge, while others are comfortable keeping their distance. If any of us are of the mindset to embrace the challenge, I offer up some tangible ideas to immediately undertake.

Offer an Inclusion Olive Branch Daily

Simply put, we must make others feel welcomed. So challenge ourselves daily to offer an inclusion olive branch. Use the word value in our language, and we’ll be sure to note verbal or non-verbal cues of appreciation. Here’s an example of what we can communicate.

Extend a warm greeting to the recipient. Then proceed with our inclusive message. I appreciate all the valuable insights you shared in yesterday’s meeting. It was well thought out and helped us to reach our goals. We can choose to do this in person (virtually), in writing, or on social media. I’m noticing more LinkedIn posts shouting out valued team players. So let’s do our part to extend an olive branch personally and professionally to continue this trend of inclusive behaviors.

Continue to Add Inclusion Spice to Your Life

I’m from Jamaica (cue reggae music and one love vibes), so I have a heavy hand when seasoning meals. Therefore, I want to encourage an increase in the range and variety of inclusion seasonings we’re using. It’ll taste and feel better. I promise.

Here are some opportunities for more inclusion:

1. At Home – Spouses, Children, Parents are all prime opportunities to engage with and practice your inclusion skills. Check the decisions you’re making for each of your family members, and you’ll be able to note inclusion opportunities for improvement.
2. Meetings – Spice Up Meetings with Inclusion Activities. Toss out the dull meetings. Sure we’re at work to get done, but given the times we’re living in, inclusion demands its share of the agenda. Rightfully so! And as such, we need to carve out time to make attendees feel welcome. Doing so could include getting names right (pause if necessary), allowing questions without immediate solutions presented and addressing poor meeting behaviors that promote exclusion, etc.
3. Everyday Life – There’s an opportunity to be inclusive in our routines (bank, grocery store, park, beach, camping, etc.). Check the point above about extending that inclusion olive branch and note opportunities to improve our inclusive leadership skills. Engage in conversations wherever we are. Inclusion is about dancing with discomfort, so it will not always be easy to engage with others with whom you don’t have a relationship. However, vulnerably extending ourselves presents an opportunity for more significant learning about similarities and differences.
4. Having Leaders Model Inclusive Behaviors is an excellent way to get employees to feel included. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it worths repeating. Leaders have a full plate, and inclusion is a part of their core responsibilities in a successfully inclusive organization. Therefore, leaders must go above and beyond to demonstrate behaviors that signify the organization means business when it comes to inclusion. For example, leaders can connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations, even off-work topics.

Constantly take the inclusion temperature in your environment and adjust accordingly. If it’s too hot in our house, I tweak the temperature. If it’s too cold, I tweak the temperature. I do that in the car. I do that in hotels. I’m guessing most of us may have the same experience of wanting to adjust temperatures for comfort. Inclusion requires us to monitor the thermostat setting constantly. Sometimes we desire cooler temperatures, and other times, hot temperatures need us to stay put.