What are some best practices for promoting inclusion and belonging in a virtual environment?

1 Acknowledge diversity and commonality

One of the first steps to promote inclusion and belonging is to acknowledge and appreciate the diversity and commonality of the people in your virtual environment. Diversity refers to the differences in identities, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and preferences that make each person unique. Commonality refers to the shared goals, values, interests, and needs that connect people across differences. You can acknowledge diversity and commonality by creating opportunities for people to introduce themselves, share their stories, express their opinions, and learn from each other. You can also use inclusive language, avoid stereotypes and biases, and respect different communication styles and preferences.

2 Establish norms and expectations

Another best practice for promoting inclusion and belonging is to establish clear and consistent norms and expectations for your virtual environment. Norms are the rules or guidelines that define how people should behave and interact in a given context. Expectations are the standards or outcomes that people should aim for or achieve in a given context. You can establish norms and expectations by involving everyone in the process of co-creating them, communicating them frequently and explicitly, and modeling and reinforcing them regularly. You can also review and revise them as needed, based on feedback and reflection. Some examples of norms and expectations for a virtual environment are: be respectful, be attentive, be prepared, be collaborative, be constructive, be accountable, and be flexible.

3 Build trust and rapport

A third best practice for promoting inclusion and belonging is to build trust and rapport among the people in your virtual environment. Trust is the confidence or belief that someone is reliable, honest, competent, and caring. Rapport is the connection or relationship that someone has with another person, based on mutual understanding, respect, and empathy. You can build trust and rapport by being authentic, transparent, supportive, and responsive. You can also create space and time for informal and personal interactions, such as icebreakers, check-ins, games, or celebrations. You can also use various modes and tools of communication, such as video, audio, chat, or email, to suit different situations and preferences.

6 Foster a sense of community

A sixth and final best practice for promoting inclusion and belonging is to foster a sense of community among the people in your virtual environment. A sense of community is the feeling or perception that someone belongs to and is valued by a group of people who share common interests, goals, or values. A sense of community enhances motivation, satisfaction, and well-being. You can foster a sense of community by creating and maintaining a shared vision, mission, or purpose for your virtual environment. You can also facilitate collaboration and cooperation among the people in your virtual environment, by assigning roles, responsibilities, and tasks that require interdependence and mutual support. You can also celebrate and appreciate the diversity and commonality of the people in your virtual environment, by acknowledging and honoring their contributions, achievements, and feedback.

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?