What does inclusive leadership look like?
A revealing study highlights the profound impact leadership has on workplace dynamics, with 57% of individuals stating they’ve exited positions driven by challenges with leadership. Furthermore, the ripple effect of leadership extends to those currently in roles, with 32% contemplating a departure due to less-than-ideal management practices.
This underscores the critical need for visionary leadership that embraces the power of understanding, empathy, and inclusivity to foster environments where every team member feels valued, heard, and inspired to grow.
Inclusive leadership is the solution. But what does inclusive leadership look like?
Inclusive leaders are aware of their own biases and work towards mitigating their impact. They celebrate different perspectives and don’t limit their decision-making to a single viewpoint. Plus, they create safe spaces by holding themselves and others accountable for their words and actions.
Is it possible to shift leadership styles to create an inclusive workplace?
Yes. Coach Diversity Institute offers several training opportunities designed to overcome bias, teach the fundamentals of inclusive leadership, and support leaders working to build inclusive environments. In this article, we will explore the qualities of inclusive leaders and examine some of the best examples of inclusive companies in 2024!
Qualities of Inclusive Leaders
Creating an inclusive environment starts with inclusive leaders, but these qualities can be lacking in some organizations. Hope is not lost, as Coach Diversity Institute offers several courses designed to instill these vital qualities in your organization’s leaders.
Committed to improving diversity and inclusion.
The best leaders are people of action. The same holds true for inclusive leaders; they implement DEI plans. These people understand that diversity starts with a personal commitment to demonstrating activities that support inclusion.
The commitment to improving diversity and inclusion extends to others as well. Inclusive leaders challenge team members to be accountable for their words and actions by actively standing up to the established status quo. Making that commitment speaks volumes about a person in a leadership position.
Humility is at their core.
Humility is a strength for the world’s greatest leaders but can be lacking in more inexperienced leaders. Practicing humility doesn’t undermine a leader’s authority or influence it. It supports and fosters it. Humble leaders are aware of their own limitations and actively seek different perspectives for further knowledge.
A humble leader will admit mistakes and hold themselves accountable for poor results. This doesn’t mean they claim to know all the answers. Instead, these leaders leverage team members by creating a space where everyone can contribute.
Self-aware of their own biases.
Have you ever met someone completely clueless? It’s challenging trying to communicate, and often that communication falls on deaf ears. The best inclusive leaders have strong self-awareness of their personal biases.
Self-aware leaders take steps to mitigate their personal biases and attempt to hold others accountable for their biases. An inclusive leader also bases decision-making on credibility or merit, leaving any unconscious bias out of the equation.
Lead with empathy.
Everyone yearns for a sense of belonging, and leaders who are sensitive to the needs of their direct reports make better decisions. But what does it look like to lead with empathy? Empathetic leaders are naturally curious about diverse perspectives. They are active listeners with growth mentalities who constantly search for ways to improve their cultural intelligence.
Inclusive leadership practices empathy to better understand their team members. Unempathetic leadership uses close-minded viewpoints that actively work to destroy inclusive behavior. Besides, the world needs a little more understanding!
Encourage collaboration.
Collaboration is the key to growth. Not only does it grace action plans in virtually every business, but it’s an essential method of eliminating favoritism. Effective collaboration starts by empowering others. The most inclusive teams have communication from every level of an organization, not just senior leaders.
You can unlock the potential of your diverse workforce by promoting team cohesion and inclusivity. That means creating psychological safety when others are presenting different perspectives. Coach Diversity Institute’s wide range of programs helps train leaders in establishing a collaborative, inclusive environment where everyone feels safe to share new ideas.
The Best Inclusive Leadership Examples in 2024
Organizations realize that DEI initiatives have real functionality in the workplace that translates into improved revenue. These companies had the cognizance to implement wide-sweeping diversity and inclusion programs, creating high-performing businesses with outstanding metrics.
Sodexo
Sodexo stands as a beacon of inclusive leadership in the global food and management services industry, operating across 55 countries with a robust workforce of over 400,000 employees committed to serving more than 100 million customers daily. Sodexo’s journey towards inclusive leadership is exemplified by its ambitious goals and measurable achievements in diversity and inclusion.
With a commitment to ensure that 100% of its employees are part of gender-balanced management teams, Sodexo sets a benchmark in fostering an equitable workplace. The company is determined to narrow the gender pay gap to 10% or less by 2025, reflecting its dedication to ensuring fairness and equality across all organizational levels.
In addition to its efforts in gender balance and ethnic diversity, Sodexo has made significant strides in promoting women’s representation in traditionally male-dominated roles and supporting employees with disabilities. A notable goal is achieving 43% representation of women in senior leadership positions by 2025, maintaining the level it achieved at the start of 2023, which highlights Sodexo’s proactive approach to sustaining gender diversity in leadership. The company also pledges that 100% of its workforce will have access to initiatives supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities by 2025, ensuring an inclusive work environment for all employees. These initiatives exemplify Sodexo’s leadership in creating a workplace that values diversity and inclusivity, driving better business results and contributing to a stronger, more equitable society.
Accenture
Accenture stands as a paragon of inclusive leadership, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to creating a culture of equality that resonates throughout its global operations. At the heart of Accenture’s ethos is the belief that diversity ignites innovation and drives reinvention, a principle that is embedded in its strategic approach to deliver 360° value for stakeholders.
By championing a talent strategy that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences, Accenture ensures cognitive diversity is at the forefront of its innovation drive. The company sets ambitious goals, openly shares progress, and meticulously measures outcomes to foster continuous improvement and accountability. This commitment is further illustrated by its robust programming, including unconscious bias training, specialized learning, and support for diverse employee networks. This ensures every individual has the opportunity to thrive and unlock their full potential within a meritocratic environment.
Moreover, Accenture’s dedication to inclusion and diversity is exemplified through tangible actions and policies aimed at ensuring equal pay for equal work and striving for a gender-balanced workforce by 2025. Their annual pay equity review boasts 100% pay equity across genders globally and by race and ethnicity in select regions, setting a gold standard in corporate responsibility. Accenture’s leadership, led by Global Chief Diversity Officer Beck Bailey, actively works to build a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of background, identity, or belief. Through these concerted efforts, Accenture exemplifies the essence of inclusive leadership, embodying Coach Diversity’s vision of empowering leaders and organizations to embrace diversity as a cornerstone of success.
Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, inclusive leadership is at the core of their mission, embodying the principle that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are foundational to sparking solutions for a healthier world. Embracing the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of all individuals, Johnson & Johnson is committed to building a global culture where every person feels they truly belong. This commitment is articulated through their visionary DEI motto: “Be yourself, change the world.” Their approach is deeply rooted in evidence-based strategies, centered around four strategic pillars designed to intertwine and propel DEI outcomes forward, demonstrating a holistic and impactful engagement with diversity at every level.
Johnson & Johnson’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment is further highlighted by its efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve within their workforce, to innovate for diverse markets, and to transform talent and business processes for equitable access and outcomes. The company supports this vision with transparent and accountable measures, such as the Health for Humanity Report and the DEI Honors Recognition Program, celebrating progress across over 30 countries. With 12 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that nurture employee potential and build an inclusive culture, Johnson & Johnson not only exemplifies inclusive leadership but also empowers its employees to be catalysts for change, underscoring the belief that everyone has a role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company and the world at large.
Build Inclusive Leaders with Coach Diversity Institute
Inclusive leaders are far from typical. Many non-inclusive leaders fail to recognize the benefits of a diverse team, are often unaware of their personal biases, and lack the cultural intelligence needed to fashion a high-performing team.
Looking for the perfect leader isn’t always possible. However, it is possible to train leaders to be inclusive with inclusive leadership training through Coach Diversity Institute. Coach Diversity Institute’s accredited programs will leave leaders better equipped to manage team meetings, make better decisions, and smash performance metrics.
Coach Diversity Institute offers individual programs that cater to organizational professionals and senior leaders. Additionally, your entire organization can benefit from Coach Diversity Institute’s workplace diversity services designed to improve work environments and foster innovation. Find out what an inclusive workplace can do for you with Coach Diversity Institute!