Last updated on Jul 18, 2024

You're leading a diverse team in a meeting. How can you ensure everyone feels valued and included?

Leading a diverse team presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, particularly when it comes to meetings. Your role as a leader is not just to manage tasks but to foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued. Cultural competency is a critical skill in this context, as it involves understanding, respecting, and appropriately responding to the variety of cultural norms, values, and practices represented in your team. By applying principles of cultural competency, you can create a meeting atmosphere that encourages full participation and harnesses the diverse perspectives of your team for better decision-making and innovation.

1 Set Expectations

Before diving into meeting agendas, take a moment to set clear expectations about communication and respect. Emphasize the importance of active listening and ensure that team members understand that every voice is valuable. This sets a respectful tone and demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity. Encourage members to share their viewpoints and establish ground rules that promote an environment where interruptions are minimal, and recognition of contributions is consistent. By doing so, you create a framework that supports equity and values diverse input.

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Melissa A.

An Administrative Office Assistant and a Futuro Health Scholar for Paraprofessional Customer Service in Healthcare.
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Meetings can be overwhelming for any employee, especially if some employees cannot get along. Setting expectations of how the meeting should be conducted is necessary to avoid impatience, anger, and rude comments. Furthermore, all employees must be respectful and responsible when answering questions in the team. One way is by having a timer or setting a limit for how long an employee can speak during the meeting. Depending on the type of meeting, do not exclude any employee from the meeting. Make sure all employees feel comfortable. Have employees relax if there is too much tension at work by doing creative activities. If the meeting is going to be recorded, let all employees know about it.

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Anthony Calleo

Employee Experience Expert | Company Culture | Global Human Resources Leader | Former Disney | Learning & Development | Organizational Development | Startup Advisor
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Establishing clear expectations is the foundation of a cohesive team. It’s essential to communicate that every team member’s voice is valuable. Encourage open dialogue and ensure that respect and inclusivity are non-negotiable standards. Let everyone know their contributions are welcomed and respected, creating a solid base for collaboration.

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2 Create Safety

Creating a psychologically safe space is essential for team members to feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Acknowledge the different communication styles and cultural backgrounds present, and assure everyone that their contributions are welcome and necessary for the team's success. Use inclusive language and be mindful of non-verbal cues that can convey respect and openness. Your attentiveness to these details will help to build trust among team members, fostering a climate where individuals are not only heard but are also confident in expressing their thoughts.

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Anthony Calleo

Employee Experience Expert | Company Culture | Global Human Resources Leader | Former Disney | Learning & Development | Organizational Development | Startup Advisor
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Creating a safe environment is crucial for fostering open communication and innovation. Psychological Safety means team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts without fear of criticism or retaliation. Make it a priority to address any concerns promptly and constructively. Doing so builds trust and support, which is vital for a thriving team dynamic.

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3 Encourage Participation

Actively seek input from all team members, especially those who may be less inclined to speak up. You can employ strategies like going around the table to solicit opinions or using anonymous feedback tools to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. By intentionally creating space for each person to voice their thoughts, you demonstrate that you value diverse perspectives and encourage a more collaborative team dynamic.

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4 Address Biases

It's important to be aware of your own biases and how they might influence the meeting dynamics. Be vigilant in ensuring that all team members, regardless of their background or status within the group, have equal opportunities to participate. If you notice that certain individuals are dominating the conversation or others are being overlooked, take steps to redirect the discussion in a more balanced manner. This might involve directly inviting quieter members to share or gently reminding more vocal participants to allow others a chance to speak.

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5 Leverage Strengths

Recognize and leverage the unique strengths and experiences that each team member brings to the table. By assigning roles or tasks that align with individual skill sets and cultural insights, you not only optimize the team's performance but also show that you value and trust their expertise. This approach not only enhances the meeting's productivity but also boosts team morale and individual confidence.

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Anthony Calleo

Employee Experience Expert | Company Culture | Global Human Resources Leader | Former Disney | Learning & Development | Organizational Development | Startup Advisor
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Diverse backgrounds and experiences are a company's greatest assets. Organizations can enhance their collective performance by recognizing and leveraging each team member's unique strengths. Encourage everyone to share their insights and expertise. This will enrich projects and foster a culture of continuous learning and mutual respect.

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6 Follow Through

After the meeting, ensure that the inclusive practices you've implemented are not just one-off occurrences. Follow through on action items and decisions made, giving credit where it's due. If issues of inclusion were raised during the meeting, address them promptly and transparently. Consistency in your approach to valuing and including all team members will solidify the trust and respect you've built and encourage ongoing engagement and collaboration.

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You're leading a diverse team in a meeting. How can you ensure everyone feels valued and included?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set Expectations

2 Create Safety

3 Encourage Participation

4 Address Biases

5 Leverage Strengths

6 Follow Through

Cultural Competency

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You're leading a diverse team in a meeting. How can you ensure everyone feels valued and included?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set Expectations

2 Create Safety

3 Encourage Participation

4 Address Biases

5 Leverage Strengths

6 Follow Through

Cultural Competency

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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