How can you create a welcoming and inclusive environment?

1 Understand your biases

We all have implicit or unconscious biases that affect how we perceive and interact with others. These biases can stem from our personal experiences, social norms, stereotypes, or media influences. They can also influence our decisions, behaviors, and attitudes, sometimes in subtle or unintentional ways. To create a welcoming and inclusive environment, you need to recognize and challenge your own biases, and be open to feedback and learning from others. You can also use tools such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT) or the Harvard Project Implicit to measure and explore your biases.

2 Listen actively and empathetically

One of the most important skills of a servant leader is listening. Listening is not just hearing what others say, but also understanding their perspectives, feelings, and needs. Listening actively and empathetically means paying attention, asking open-ended questions, reflecting back what you hear, and expressing appreciation and support. By listening in this way, you can build trust, rapport, and mutual understanding with your followers and stakeholders. You can also learn from their insights, experiences, and feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement and collaboration.

3 Communicate clearly and respectfully

Communication is another essential skill of a servant leader. Communication is not just transmitting information, but also creating meaning and connection. Communicating clearly and respectfully means using simple, precise, and inclusive language, avoiding jargon, acronyms, or slang that might confuse or alienate others. It also means being mindful of your tone, body language, and nonverbal cues, and adapting to different communication styles and preferences. Moreover, it means being honest, transparent, and constructive in your feedback, and acknowledging and addressing any conflicts or misunderstandings.

4 Value diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but core values of a servant leader. Diversity refers to the variety of backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and experiences that people bring to a team or organization. Inclusion refers to the sense of belonging, acceptance, and empowerment that people feel in a team or organization. Valuing diversity and inclusion means celebrating and leveraging the differences and similarities among your followers and stakeholders, and creating a culture of equity and justice. It also means providing equal opportunities, resources, and support for everyone to thrive and contribute, and removing any barriers or biases that might hinder their participation or performance.

5 Encourage collaboration and innovation

Collaboration and innovation are not only desirable outcomes, but also key processes for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. As a servant leader, you have the role of facilitating and enabling collaboration and innovation among your followers and stakeholders. Encouraging collaboration and innovation means creating a safe and supportive space for people to share their ideas, opinions, and feedback, and to co-create solutions and strategies. It also means fostering a learning mindset, a growth mindset, and a feedback culture, and rewarding creativity, risk-taking, and experimentation.

6 Lead by example and inspire others

Finally, as a servant leader, you have the power and the responsibility to lead by example and inspire others to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Leading by example and inspiring others means modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and values that you expect from your followers and stakeholders, and demonstrating your commitment and passion for your vision and mission. It also means recognizing and appreciating the efforts and achievements of your followers and stakeholders, and empowering and motivating them to reach their full potential and to make a positive impact.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?