Inclusion has become an essential concept in the workplace. Each of us is unique and has been shaped by our culture, personality, gender, religion and other influences. This diversity means you and your colleagues better represent what the world looks like, as well as your customer base and the end-users of your products or services.
It can also create a wealth of opinions and perspectives that are different from your own. As humans, our natural inclination is to avoid friction. Still, if you can look for the opportunity in those distinctions, you can start building a very powerful team that is healthy, creative and successful.
How to be more inclusive
There are several things you can do to promote inclusion in the workplace, including:
Respect differences
Learning about an individual’s unique cultural influences leads to greater respect and openness. Appreciating differences also positively affects communication, collaboration and the overall work environment. When you habitually include multiple perspectives, it can improve outcomes for your entire team.
Reach out to new people
Get out of your comfort zone and intentionally interact with each of your teammates. Invite them to join you during lunch or sit together at meetings. Make a concerted effort to really get to know them – who they are, where they are from and what their family is like.
Make pronouns matter
Ask for other employees’ preferred pronouns and use them during initial interactions. If you unintentionally make an incorrect reference, simply say, “I’m sorry, I meant to say (she/he/them),” and move on with the conversation.
Refuse to participate
When you see that someone is uncomfortable due to how others are treating them, don’t ignore it. You can say, “This conversation isn’t respectful and inclusive. Please stop, and let’s move on.”
Appreciation is an incredible motivator, and when your colleagues feel valued for their contributions, the entire team will be more satisfied with their jobs.
