Inclusion and diversity are two essential pillars for creating a thriving work environment.
Adopting this theory and acknowledging what it takes to create this environment requires a lot from those in leadership.
As Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic said in Business Insider, “Culture is primarily the results of the leader’s values.” If you are thinking about building an inclusive environment that nurtures diversity, you have to adopt certain traits as a leader.
In this article, we have listed some traits of inclusive leaders that are key to promoting diversity in the workspace.
Humility
First comes humility; when leaders promote and accept different opinions, perspectives, and ideas, a business becomes ideal for achieving the desired objectives.
It is important to set aside the ego and remain humble, being a leader does not mean you have all the answers. Having a leader that welcomes difference is more likely to give their team a comfortable and expressive environment.
Curiosity
Curiosity drives you to meet new people and learn about their perspectives. An organization having such a leader can prosper in leaps and bounds.
Curious leaders are less likely to hire people with similar thinking and ideology and are open to working with someone who can bring diverse ideas to the table. According to a 2015 PwC survey published in the Harvard Business Review, over a thousand CEOs cited curiosity as a favorable leadership trait that becomes key in especially difficult times.
Collaboration
Similar to humility, collaboration involves setting the ego aside. Leaders who make decisions without considering other input may be more likely to miss important details. If you choose to work in collaboration with your team, you open the door for those who would not have spoken up otherwise.
Leaders who choose to have diverse voices in their team are more likely to have more mature and well-analyzed decisions. Regardless of the seniority level and position, if you want to have an inclusive and diverse environment, start working in collaboration with your team.
Courage
A leader can be curious, humble, and collaborative, but it also takes guts to change deep-rooted traditions and cultures in the business world. Implementing change may not be easily accepted across the organization and that’s when leaders can shine.
To create a diverse yet inclusive culture, we need courageous leaders who are willing to fight for positive change within the organization.
Cultural and Emotional Intelligence
To foster an inclusive environment, empathy is a significant trait. A leader who wants to be truly inclusive must listen and understand the difference of perspectives. Empathy demands you move beyond your own self and experiences to actively listen and consider others’ experiences as well.
Every person maintains their individuality in life, even with shared experiences, so it is important to navigate your team with the acknowledgment of different perspectives and opinions.
Insightful
A self-aware leader fosters inclusivity when they can recognize their own privilege or bias. Seek insight into the type of person you are now and what gaps you may have to become the person you want to be.
As GiANT Worldwide promotes, knowing yourself is a tool that will set you up for success in life and aid you in becoming a leader that people want to follow.
Braindom’s Solution
Are you interested in creating an inclusive workplace environment but not sure where to start? At Braindom, we are a team of highly professional and experienced experts who can equip you with all the necessary tools that could take your organization to the top:
- Educate yourself and explore the tools and videos provided by GiANT WorldWide or
- Schedule a call and we will create a customized and personalized roadmap for your business!
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