Inclusion Comes First
Many organizations do their best to hire a diverse workforce—but they often don’t put the same effort towards creating an inclusive culture. Minette Norman knows that an inclusive culture is the backbone of any thriving workplace. Drawing from her new book, The Boldly Inclusive Leader, Minette shares actionable advice to help cultivate inclusive working environments where diverse teams can leverage their differences and achieve breakthrough success.
Attendees will learn how to tune into their own behavior, foster psychological safety as a foundation for an inclusive team culture, and run meetings to ensure that all voices are heard, welcomed, and respected.
Webinar Outline
00:02:35 - Embracing Diversity for Innovation
Manette Norman, renowned author, speaker, and leadership consultant, opines on the significance of accepting diversity in its entirety, stating this as vital for innovative breakthroughs.
00:07:20 - Understanding the Human Need for Inclusion
Norman dives into the importance of inclusion within professional settings. She makes the compelling argument that humans are hardwired for connection and that exclusion can lead to emotional suffering: *"We must prioritize inclusion because we as a species as human beings are wired for connection with others."* She stresses the role leaders play in setting an inclusive tone, underscoring that their everyday actions and behaviors speak volumes.
00:15:10 - Active Listening & Embracing Discomfort
The keynote discusses the uncomfortable aspects of becoming an inclusive leader. She emphasizes that growth and comfort don't coexist, urging leaders to actively listen. She advises against formulating responses while others are still speaking to allow for better understanding.
00:20:35 - Managing Instinctual Defensive Reactions
Norman brings attention to the 'amygdala hijack' - our instinctual defensive reactions in social scenarios. She advocates for calm responses, suggesting to pause or take a breath before responding.
00:30:50 - The Power of Empathy and Psychological Safety
Norman brings up a study by Business Solver showing that employees want empathetic organizations and leaders. She encourages leaders to empathize with individuals who differ from them and reduce the empathy gap. She also underlines the need for cultivating a psychologically safe culture where people can ask questions, make errors, and take risks without fear of exclusion or negative consequences.
00:35:20 - Facilitating Inclusivity
Norman suggests introducing norms and rules for meetings to ensure inclusivity. She also recommends leveraging digital tools effectively to empower everyone to take part in discussions. She calls for the practice and integration of inclusivity in every interaction, meeting, and policy.
00:45:30 - Taking the Leap Towards Inclusion
Wrapping up the webinar, Norman challenges listeners to commit to attempting something new and fostering change in their organizations. She leaves us with a powerful reminder of the power of inclusion: "We can't underestimate the need for people to be heard, seen and respected, which is what inclusion is all about."
At the end of the day, practicing and pioneering inclusive leadership demands constant effort – but this investment fosters a more innovative, supportive, and successful environment for everyone involved.