What do you do if your large group session lacks diversity and inclusivity?

1 Recognize Bias

Recognizing unconscious bias is the first step towards creating a more inclusive large group session. Everyone has biases, but being aware of them allows you to mitigate their impact. Reflect on the composition of your group and consider whether certain voices are underrepresented. If so, seek to understand why this is the case. Are there barriers to participation for some people? Is the recruitment or selection process inadvertently favoring certain groups? By asking these questions, you can begin to address the underlying issues that contribute to a lack of diversity and inclusivity.

2 Invite Diversity

Once you've acknowledged the gaps, actively invite diversity into your sessions. This could mean reaching out to communities that are underrepresented and encouraging their participation. It's not just about numbers; it's about ensuring a range of experiences and viewpoints are present. This might require changing how you advertise your sessions or offering support, such as childcare or transportation assistance, to reduce barriers to attendance. Remember, diversity enriches the conversation and leads to more innovative solutions.

4 Foster Inclusion

Creating an inclusive atmosphere goes beyond just having diverse participants; it's about making sure everyone feels valued and heard. Establish ground rules that promote respect and equal participation. Encourage quiet members to share their thoughts and ensure dominant voices do not monopolize the conversation. Techniques like round-robin sharing or breakout groups can help facilitate this. An inclusive environment empowers participants to contribute their unique insights, which enhances the overall group dynamic.

6 Continuous Learning

Finally, understand that fostering diversity and inclusivity is an ongoing process. Commit to continuous learning about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. This might involve formal training, self-study, or simply staying curious and open to new ideas. As you grow in your understanding, so too will your ability to create truly inclusive and diverse large group sessions that benefit from the full richness of human experience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?