The Subtle Art of Teaching Inclusiveness

In one of my workshops on teambuilding, one of the activities was to post the ideas on the wall. Then they were supposed to cluster the ideas by talking to each other in small groups. When I asked for their reflection about how they felt doing this activity and what they had learned, one of the participants shared the following (which was amazing):

"When we were working in our small groups to cluster the points together, some points were posted at a height where some of our colleagues could not see them or reach them properly. So we, the ones who could reach them, read them aloud or repositioned them at a height for everyone to be able to see and touch it.

I did not realize this before, but when I will go back to my organization from this workshop, I will instruct my logistics team to reposition the notice boards and other important signs on the walls at a height so that it is comfortable for everyone to see and understand. It is important to me because I respect everyone and want an 'inclusive culture'."

The passion with which it was shared was admired so much by the other participants. You can tell from their expressions - their need to be heard about their unarticulated needs at their organizations! I love the way he taught us about inclusiveness on that day!

Reflection for us and on our organizational culture:

1. Are their artifacts at your organization that are signs of inclusiveness?
2. Are there a sufficient number of communication channels to know the "unarticulated" needs of people?
3. Do you organize and facilitate sessions for everyone's voices to be heard? It can be interesting how needs in different areas can be surfaced regardless of the title of the training program is designed and facilitated in the right way, just like the above example.