“Diversity is being invited to the party,

inclusion is being asked to dance.”

(Verna Myers, Diversity and Inclusion Expert)

You know the “3Rs” of education … although today sticklers might argue that two of those Rs — ‘riting and ‘rithmetic — may encourage poor spelling habits.

But are you familiar with the 3Rs of inclusion?

Right now there’s a huge emphasis on diversity in the workforce. But the challenge of inclusion remains. From the outside, a company may seem great to work for – racially diverse, equal pay policies, opportunities for advancement. But once you start working there, you realize that the employees are unhappy, disengaged and unsatisfied, resulting in high attrition. It’s a company that’s crumbling from the inside out. 

This is likely because leaders may be committed to diversity but ignore the importance of inclusion. Inclusion goes beyond hiring a diverse workforce. It makes every member of that workforce feel welcome, integrated into the organization and an important part of the overall system.

The most effective leaders know that happy workers are more productive than unhappy ones. They also know that their words and actions have an impact on the people who work for them. An accepting culture and a genuine interest in employees’ well-being foster a true sense of connectivity, positivity and inclusion. 

From experience, we’ve identified three leadership qualities that will promote inclusion: 

1. Receptivity.

Be open and accept the diverse cultures, personalities, skills, and experiences of the people who make up your workforce. Allow them to do what comes naturally to them, and give them the space to get their jobs done — without dictating how they will accomplish it.

To be a truly receptive leader, you also need to be curious. Make a point of getting to know the people who work with and for you. Ask about their families, discover their sources of inspiration, and really get to know them as people — beyond the work they do.

2. Reflection.

Think things through, recall your decisions and understand the motivations behind them. When you reflect, you acknowledge that there’s unconscious bias in every decision you make. This important realization will help you fight this inclination, creating more connectivity, acceptance, and belonging.

Empathy is also an important aspect of reflection. When you allow yourself to connect with someone else, you become vulnerable, opening yourself to either acceptance or rejection from the other person. But only when the other person sees transparency in your interactions can there be a genuine connection.

3. Revitalization.

Empower your employees to succeed and do the best they can at work. When you invest in them through trainings and seminars — or even free coffee and tea to help them get through the day — you recognize that each employee is valuable and intrinsic to your success. 

Revitalizing leaders inspire the people who work for them. They walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to inclusion and making everyone feel that they belong.

Creating a more inclusive environment is not easy. It involves changes in the way you think and act, which requires conscious thought and repetition. 

That’s why I’m so excited about an app that can help leaders learn and practice inclusive behaviors … and support new patterns of thinking, communicating and interacting … all of which leads to sustainable behavior change. The Inclusion Virtual Coach App® from Lead Inclusively is truly a game-changer in cultural transformation.

Denise Hummel, the founder, and CEO of Lead Inclusively has done extensive research that led to the identification of the 3Rs of inclusion. The Inclusion App makes the overall concept of inclusion work by giving leaders ongoing reminder messages that provide step-by-step guidance for specific events, such as meetings, interviews, new hire interactions and performance evaluations. The app is also an excellent general leadership tool that, I believe, should become as essential to leaders as their computers and tablets. You can learn more at https://leadinclusively.com/.  

When leaders show that they are receptive (open), reflective (empathetic) and revitalizing (inspiring), they influence each employee, which in turn transforms the whole organization. This — not sales — is what changes lives and builds legacies.