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Become an Authentic and Inclusive Leader
It's easy to underestimate your influence in the workplace. However, as a manager,
you set the tone with your team, and you have the power to create positive employee
experiences by demonstrating your commitment to being authentic and inclusive.
The Centre for Creative Leadership
1
describes inclusive leaders as "…individuals who
are aware of their own biases and actively seek out and consider different perspectives
to inform their decision-making and collaborate more effectively with others. Inclusive
leadership also means that leaders commit to ensuring all team members are treated
equitably, feel a sense of belonging and value, and have the resources and support they
need to achieve their full potential."
Inclusive Leadership in Action
To create a sense of common purpose, belonging and connection, inclusive leaders:
Create an environment that is safe for open communication about ideas, challenges,
concerns, and opportunities.
Accept that mistakes will be made and focus on learning rather than perfection.
Appreciate differences, embrace curiosity, and encourage learning from one another.
Are open to the notion that some things they do can exclude people from feeling
valued or equal. They take stock of their blind spots and close them quickly.
Understand inclusion is defined not by what they think is happening but by employees'
perceptions and experiences.
Are open and create conditions where employees feel safe to share feedback.
(See recommended team exercise on page 10.)
Inclusive leaders also understand the importance of emotional well-being.
They are aware of emotional responses and practice emotional regulation
to create a safe environment.
1 Centre for Creative Leadership [2023], Inclusive Leadership: Steps to Get it Right, retrieved from: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-
effectively-articles/when-inclusive-leadership-goes-wrong-and-how-to-get-it-right/
