The Power of an Inclusive Mindset

As our world becomes more complex and human justice takes center stage, leaders are being called upon to do more and do better.

?Inclusion is more than hiring diverse talent. Leaders need to approach business with an inclusive mindset. Leaders with inclusive mindsets bring countless diverse perspectives to the conversation. They create environments where people are empowered to influence decisions.

?Leaders with inclusive mindsets recognize how inclusion has the potential to lead to social equity and better business outcomes.

?It can be easy to oversimplify inclusion by hiring people from diverse demographics and backgrounds. Inclusion is much broader. An inclusive mindset ensures diverse perspectives are heard, understood, and taken seriously (HUT). This mindset wants decisions reached collaboratively.

?Google CEO Sundar Pichai says, “A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes from everyone.”[i] Many successful leaders like Pichai are advocates and allies for inclusion.

?A strong argument for inclusion in the workplace is the ability to release the collective intelligence of diverse teams. Harnessing the power of collective intelligence necessitates fostering a socially sensitive, diverse, and inclusive environment where everyone shares equally. Intelligence not only refers to the expertise of each person but also to the emotional intelligence of the group.

?So how does inclusion become infectious and multiply? Here are four simple ways to adopt a more inclusive mindset in the workplace. [i]

?1.???Reflect

Evaluate the current intelligence of your organization. Think back to your last team meeting. What was the purpose? Who did you not hear from? Who was present? What did the team achieve together? To improve, consider looking at the structure and the environment you operate in.

?2.???Create

We need to do more than bring the people to the table. Inclusive leaders create an environment where everyone can share their perspectives and ensure all voices are included in decision-making. When more people speak, collective intelligence increases.

?3.???Understand

To take on a more inclusive mindset, we must begin by understanding our place and our assumptions.

?4.???Look Beyond

Inclusion, while important inside the workplace, should not stop at the boundary of your workplace. It's important to create lasting change not just across your organization but beyond it. Do not place limitations on your collaboration potential with other organizations. It is the potential external network that can help spur innovation and transformation.

?In conclusion, challenging your beliefs and adopting new mindsets is difficult. It is a journey and process to become a leader with an inclusive mindset to take on the challenges of the business world today.

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Sutherland, Naomi. “With an Inclusive Mindset Comes Powerful Perspectives.” Korn Ferry. Korn Ferry, August 31, 2022. https://www.kornferry.com/insights/featured-topics/leadership/inclusive-mindset-provides-powerful-perspectives.