What's stopping my team from being fully inclusive?

Many organisations face the challenge of building truly inclusive teams, despite investing in diversity and inclusion initiatives. A common question arises: What's stopping my teams from being fully inclusive? Often, the answer lies in unseen barriers—hidden factors influencing workplace culture, decision-making, and team dynamics—that are not immediately obvious. Addressing these unseen influences is key to fostering genuine inclusivity.

Uncovering the Unseen

The first step towards solving this problem is to uncover what’s hidden. Unconscious drivers of behaviour play a significant role in shaping how decisions are made—whether it’s in recruitment, promotion, or whose opinions carry weight in meetings. Many people are unaware of how these subtle, often deeply ingrained, forces impact their daily interactions.

Effective unconscious bias training goes beyond merely introducing concepts. It involves helping individuals and teams identify the specific hidden factors that are affecting their behaviour and the dynamics within their organisation. By bringing these influences to light, teams can begin dismantling the barriers that prevent them from being truly inclusive.

Addressing Emotional and Psychological Barriers

Another key aspect of effective unconscious bias training is understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions that underpin many of these hidden behaviours. Research into the intersection of bias and emotions, such as shame or fear, reveals how these deeply felt but often unspoken feelings can shape workplace interactions.

Without addressing these emotional underpinnings, awareness alone may not lead to lasting change. By exploring how emotions like shame can contribute to biased behaviour, individuals can work through these feelings and create a more open, inclusive environment. This process of self-awareness leads to more thoughtful, inclusive decision-making, as individuals become conscious of the internal drivers shaping their actions.

Empowering Leadership, Especially Women

Women in leadership positions often face additional challenges due to societal expectations that may limit their potential. While unconscious bias training often focuses on identifying bias within teams, it’s also essential for women to recognise any unconscious factors that may be holding them back from fully owning their leadership role.

Self-reflection, understanding personal values, and developing personal empowerment are key elements in addressing these challenges. Leaders who are more aware of their own drivers are better equipped to foster inclusive environments within their teams, creating workplaces where all voices are heard and valued.

Providing Practical Tools for Inclusion

Awareness of unconscious influences is just the beginning. To achieve lasting change, organisations need practical, actionable tools that can be applied in everyday workplace interactions. Effective training offers strategies that help individuals recognise when unconscious drivers are influencing decisions and how to engage in open, honest conversations that promote inclusivity.

The ability to tailor these strategies to different organisational contexts is crucial. Every workplace has unique challenges, and the most effective solutions are those that address the specific needs and goals of the organisation, whether in a corporate, nonprofit, or governmental setting.

A Holistic Approach to Inclusivity

Ultimately, successful unconscious bias training should offer more than just raising awareness. It should facilitate a deeper understanding of the hidden factors influencing behaviour, provide practical tools for overcoming these barriers, and support lasting, meaningful change. Organisations that embrace a holistic approach will see real results—teams that are more inclusive, leaders who are more self-aware, and workplaces that are more equitable.

True inclusivity requires ongoing effort, reflection, and action. By recognising and addressing the unseen influences at play, organisations can take significant steps towards fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and fair working environment.

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As the preferred provider of unconscious bias training for Box Hill Institute, I offer a unique blend of personal experience, academic insight, and practical expertise.

If you and your team are looking to uncover the hidden drivers affecting workplace inclusivity, create more equitable environments, and have practical tools and strategies that lead to lasting change then reach out to me via email or phone (both are in the contacts section of my profile). I'd love to support your organisation to uncover any barriers to having fully inclusive teams.