Inclusive Leadership: What are the hallmarks of great inclusion in the workplace?

Diversity without inclusion is like a garden without sunlight - it may have a great variety of impressive plants, but without nurturing them and working out their different optimum conditions for growth, not all your plants will bloom.

Your business is your garden, and your priority as a business leader should be supporting the people in your team to do their best work. An inclusive environment allows them to grow and progress, and in turn you unlock all the benefits that come from investing in people’s growth - innovation, productivity and loyalty to name a few.

So, what are the hallmarks of healthy inclusion in the workplace? Here are our takes, along with some great insights from the industry professionals we work alongside!\

Accessibility

When it comes to workplace inclusion, accessibility should be at the top of your list. Ensure that physical spaces, technology, and resources are accessible to all employees - whether you perceive them to have a disability or not. This sends the message to everyone that you have thought about what they need to be productive and that you understand that they may need reasonable adjustments in order to receive an equitable experience in the workplace. 

By removing barriers to access, organisations are supporting everyone to perform at their best, whilst contributing to a culture of equality and respect. Check out our Disability Unfiltered page to get started!

Open Communication and Feedback

 Innovation; collaboration; loyalty and cohesion - these are all attributes I think most business leaders would love to see in their companies day in, day out. A workspace where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions, concerns, and feedback without fear of reprisal is one that allows for all of that and more.

Start with regular appraisals that have action points attached to them over a set period of time. Mini-appraisals and entry interviews are great ways to find out if people have any training needs, or blockers stopping them doing good work.

Zero-Tolerance of Discrimination and Harassment

It’s estimated that 40% of victims of workplace harassment in the U.K. do not report the incidents due to fears of not being taken seriously, and that 68% of employees believe their company doesn’t do enough to address harassment. 

Creating a physically and psychologically safe environment for everyone on your team is a non-negotiable. Clear policies and procedures for addressing discrimination, harassment, and micro-aggressions are a must, so that swift and clear action can be taken to address any incidents or complaints - all of which should be taken seriously.

Career Growth and Development opportunities 

Providing equal opportunities for professional development and career advancement goes hand in hand with retaining top talent. It’s about allowing employees to see a clear path for growth and development, and work towards a tangible, rewarding goal.

Mentoring initiatives can help under-represented groups excel within the organisation. Engineer, presenter and one of Gritty’s Talents Mimi Nwosu recommends ‘reverse mentoring,’ where business leaders spend time learning about the experiences of their team - after all, “can you really understand your business if you don’t understand the people and the work they're doing?” 

Lead by Example

When directors, heads of departments and decision makers champion inclusive values, it sets the tone for the entire organisation. Inclusive leaders appreciate the value in a range of experiences, empower employees to think and express freely, and drive positive change by actively challenging biases and playing to the unique strengths of their employees.

It also means accepting your own unconscious biases, allowing yourself to make mistakes ‘and not feeling bad about yourself,’ as suggested by Assistant Producer Annie Bates.   Showing you want and are willing to learn is a huge green flag, so “always ask questions, nothing is too stupid.”

How can we help you? 

A business that prioritises workplace culture is one with plans for a long and fruitful future.

At Gritty Talent, we're passionate about driving meaningful change in organisations, and our Inclusion Accelerator programme is just one way we're making a difference. Whether you're seeking guidance on implementing inclusive policies, developing inclusive leadership practices, or creating diversity initiatives tailored to your organisation's unique needs, our services are designed to support you every step of the way.

Want to find out more about how we can help you? Get in touch with us at team@grittytalent.tv