#BalanceForBetter: 3 Essentials for an Inclusive Culture

I have long understood that inclusion means a great deal to improving the work environment not only through collaboration and idea generation, but as a critical tool for strengthening both business and professional development.

It is with that understanding that I firmly believe that leaders (and all professionals!) have an obligation to champion inclusion. And, since it’s International Women’s Day (or #IWD), let’s remember the importance of being an inclusive leader and recognize #BalanceforBetter in all our workplaces.

So, I’d like share with you three elements for how each of us can empower ourselves and each other to contribute to a better, more inclusive culture for all of us.

The three elements are: embrace authenticity, proceed consciously, and lead by listening.

Embrace Authenticity

First and foremost, let’s talk about being authentic individuals and encouraging authenticity in others. “Authenticity” is one of those buzzwords that gets thrown around a lot these days. My definition of authenticity is the idea of choosing confidence over conformity.

Conformity doesn’t benefit anyone. It’s actually detrimental to our organizations. It shuts out new ideas and perspectives. And it keeps people from being themselves—which is often the very most valuable thing they have to contribute. Our research tells us that 50 percent of employees today believe their managers expect them to hide aspects of their identity, and feel less committed to their jobs. Imagine that. Half of all employees. We absolutely need to do better.

Proceed Consciously

Next is proceeding consciously as it relates to your social and professional spheres. I’m heartened that there is some good news on this front. In 2019, most workplaces across the country no longer tolerate overt racism or misogyny. There are exceptions, to be sure—#MeToo has been a painful reminder of that. But now, more than ever before, those carry consequences. 

I have a rule for myself - if I’m going to offer someone advice about how to get to the next level, I have to make it both specific and actionable. I have to help them understand exactly what they need to do to get there.

One of the most pervasive examples of an unconscious bias that exists today is what I like to call the phenomenon of the mini-me. When it comes to mentorship or sponsorship, which I know is an incredibly important aspect of academic communities as it is in business, a lot of times, people tend to gravitate toward people who remind them of, well, themselves. They form bonds easily with people who walk, talk, and look just like them.

Now, to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with feeling invested in the development of someone you identify with. That’s fine. But only if you’re also investing in the development of other people from other kinds of backgrounds, too. Otherwise, we’ll keep finding that the people who need the most support will be the ones getting the least.

Being conscious of biases and forcing them to the surface level is where we can confront them. And it’s how we ensure that we don’t just make success possible for our mini-me’s—we make success possible for everyone.

Lead by Listening

If you really want to empower your current or future colleagues to be the best versions of themselves, it helps to demonstrate a real interest in who they are, what matters to them, and what they have to say.

You’re not going to do that by talking. You’ve got to hone your skills at listening.

When you speak to professionals and ask what the number one quality they look for in potential leaders – the clear winner is effective communication. And you know how you communicate effectively? You listen.

We often think that leadership is entirely about speaking up—but it’s equally important to make sure that other voices are heard, too. I’d encourage all of us to continue to find ways to amplify others—and enlist them to amplify us. And work to train our ears so that when others speak, we really, truly listen.

So, embrace authenticity. Proceed consciously. Lead by listening.

Those are three things I challenge myself and my team to do. And they’re three things I encourage all professionals to pursue in their careers.