The benefit of having a diverse workforce has been widely proven; diverse companies have high performing teams, high employee engagement, low turnover, and increased access to talent. As a result, most companies already have some type of recruiting practice that attracts and encourages candidates from different backgrounds to apply.
Once you have a diverse team, it’s crucial to have an inclusive workplace. In this context, inclusion is an organizational-wide, active and intentional, change process that celebrates uniqueness, and makes everyone feel comfortable to share their differences.
An inclusive workplace usually:
- Displays an authentic recognition culture
- Allows decision making at all levels
- Fosters honest communication and feedback among all levels
- Enables everyone to grow and succeed
- Retains staff from all backgrounds
- Has policies and practices that support diversity
- Lives its core values when it comes to promoting, terminating, and hiring staff members
- Hires candidates based on what they have to add to its culture (rather than hiring applicants who are a “good fit”)
Where Do I Start?
- Develop common language: What does Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) mean at your company?
- Describe your D&I vision: How does it look to be diverse? How does it feel to be included?
- Explore how your organization deals with disagreements and suggestions: Is everyone heard and taken seriously? Do people become defensive when someone voices a concern or disagreement?
- Host focus groups and listening sessions: Does everyone feel you are inclusive? How does it feel to be different at your company?
- Train your leaders to be culturally competent
- Develop an ownership and accountability culture
- Develop a D&I strategy that is based on your own needs. Measure your progress, and communicate your achievements along the way
#DiversityandInclusion