How to Reimagine Inclusion | Mita Mallick

Belonging.

It’s a basic human need. One we all intrinsically seek, though the paths we take to find it differ vastly.

Imagine if you walked into work each morning and instantly felt seen, valued, and embraced for who you are. If your voice was heard, your talents recognized, and your full humanity on display.

What would it mean for your well-being, creativity, and sense of purpose if you were given the safety to bring your authentic self to everything you do?

I’m sure you’ve wondered how we can build organizations where every person feels that sense of true belonging. Where diversity isn’t just about quotas, but unlocking the genius and potential in us all.

And you’ve likely faced frustration on the journey from good intent to real impact. Just when it seems progress is being made, exclusionary systems and cultures have a way of relentlessly re-emerging.

It’s easy to become cynical, questioning if true inclusion will ever be possible. Let alone sustainable.

But giving up is not an option. Not when it comes to human dignity.

So how do we rediscover the hope required to courageously reimagine inclusion? Where do we start in transforming our workplaces from walls that divide us into foundations that unite us?

I recently sat down with inclusion expert Mita Mallick on the SPARKED podcast, and she shared some paradigm-shifting insights on where we need to start.

Here are a few of the key takeaways that stood out to me:

Inclusion begins at home.

Too often we focus narrowly on bringing new diverse talent into organizations. But real inclusion requires that we first build intentional, cross-cultural relationships in our personal lives and communities.

As Mita put it, inclusion starts at our kitchen tables, in our neighborhoods, and hometowns. These social connections provide the foundation for us to then show up as more inclusive leaders and allies in the workplace.

So take stock of your own social circle. What does the landscape of your community look like? Are you self-segregating without even realizing it? Are you surrounded only by familiar shades that mirror your own, or does your social circle capture the full diversity of the human experience?

Make it a priority to authentically engage with and understand perspectives and experiences different from your own. Seek out neighborhoods, places of worship, and social spaces where you can authentically engage with people of different backgrounds.

You’ll gain fresh perspective and empathy to bring back to your workplace.

"Permission to speak" is just the start.

Many leaders believe they are fostering inclusion because they “allow” everyone to speak up in meetings.

But giving permission to speak is merely step one. Are you truly listening, hearing, and valuing and elevating diverse voices and styles? Or do you interrupt, dismiss, or judge?

As Mita shares, deep, courageous listening with the intent to understand is the real work of inclusion. Make sure you not only invite people in, but open your mind to see, think, and operate differently based on what you hear, allowing your own perspectives to be changed by what you hear.?

Avoid trauma tourism.

When issues involving marginalized groups arise, it's often instinctual to turn to those communities and ask them to educate us. But we have to be so cautious not to retraumatize people or put them on display.

Do your own work first to become a better ally. Only then can you engage in courageous conversations without placing the burden on those already experiencing pain.

There are so many more myths and mindsets we need to check at the door in order to foster genuine inclusion. I invite you to listen to my full conversation with Mita on the SPARKED podcast to explore additional insights and practical steps we can all take to reimagine belonging.

You have the power to spark that feeling of true belonging for someone, just by showing you genuinely see, hear, and care. Small acts of courage add up to enormous impact. Let’s get to work.

#leadership #inclusion #diversity #belonging

A strategic approach to achieve career goals. When’s the last time you’ve considered the big picture when it comes to your career goals? If the answer is rarely or never, learn how to start using a career map — a powerful tool to help you navigate and achieve your long-term professional goals with confidence and purpose.

‘Rage applying’ isn’t new, but is it effective? Discover a potential new (but old) trend in the workplace — rage quitting — where employees express their frustration by applying for new jobs. Find out what experts have to say about this phenomenon and its implications for employers and employees alike in this eye-opening article.

Try scheduling a mega day to boost productivity. Ready to take your time management skills to the next level? Discover the power of "Mega Days" to supercharge your productivity and focus. Learn how to structure your day for maximum efficiency and accomplish more of what truly matters in this insightful guide.

Fathom AI Meeting Assistant. If you still haven’t cracked the code to staying present on video conference calls, try letting AI give you a hand (for free). This innovative tool integrates with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet to record, transcribe, highlight, and summarize your meetings so you can focus on the conversation and stay engaged.?

To learn your Sparketype, check out the free Sparketype? Assessment .

If you'd like to submit your own questions for consideration for a future episode of SPARKED, you can do it here now.

DO NOT MISS AN EPISODE! - Stay up to date on the powerful conversations and insights on the SPARKED podcast , along with our curated resources and tips.