5 Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Workplace Environment

Today, workplace diversity is not only a necessity but also something to celebrate. Diversity in the workplace, however, does not necessarily mean inclusivity in the workplace. Making diversity a priority is essential but creating a culture where people from all backgrounds feel included is even more critical. Inclusivity is the key to not only creating diversity in the workplace but maintaining it. Forming a culture where team members feel respected and appreciated requires more investment and effort.

Here are five strategies for creating an inclusive environment in the workplace.

 Celebrate Each Team Member’s Differences

It’s crucial to show employees that all backgrounds and traditions are respected in the workplace. We all celebrate our cultures, religions, and practices in many ways. Celebrating, accommodating, and learning about each other’s customs and traditions fosters a culture that makes employees feel recognized and valued. Businesses and organizations can offer time off for religious or cultural holidays or host informal conversations where colleagues share interesting facts about their cultures and traditions.

 Be Fair in Project Placement & Promotions

Be aware of unconscious bias — any unsupported judgments in favor of or against one thing, person, or group than another — when assigning projects to individuals or reviewing promotions. Spread high-visibility tasks across your organization and share your promotion processes. By realizing and understanding where bias is most likely to occur, your business can take steps to ensure that biases are avoided when important decisions are made within your company.

 Lead with Equality & Inclusivity in Mind

Team members naturally gravitate towards leaders who are inclusive and mindful of their personal needs and identity. An inclusive leader is anyone who understands their team members’ unique strengths, uses their platforms to advocate for their employees, and nurtures an environment where individuals feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Offering learning sessions on cross-cultural sensitivity and conflict resolutions can give employees the tools they need to openly and respectfully interact with one another in the workplace. A peer-to-peer led mentorship program can also help team members to connect on a deeper level and create meaningful relationships.

 Practice Inclusive Meetings

To build a more supportive culture, start by holding inclusive meetings and discussions. Begin by defining inclusivity and what it means to your organization and its staff. Be clear and transparent about what inclusivity looks like within the office. Ensure that all meeting participants have an equal amount of time to ask questions, be heard, and participate. Keep watch for conversation dominators, or interruptions within meetings and ensure everyone has a chance to speak. Acknowledge when someone makes a good point or provides an interesting idea.

 Build Trust & Bond with All

Foster an environment where individuals feel comfortable offering their best ideas and thoughts. Bonding exercises will help build authentic colleague relationships and enhance how individuals work together as a unique but collective unit. Making time to share an individual’s passion projects or favorite hobbies will create an opportunity and safe space for individuals to share what they love to do outside of the office. Have Teammates take turns complimenting one individual by using one word to complete the sentence, “The greatness I see in you is boldness.” This activity can be a highly emotional barrier-breaker while also encouraging your team to build positive and trusting workplace relationships.

According to SHRM/Economist Intelligence Unit research, when employees who are different from their colleagues are allowed to flourish, companies benefit from their ideas, skills, and engagement.

At Provisio Partners, we are determined to better ourselves and improve communication with the diverse communities we serve by practicing and encouraging equality and inclusion in the workplace.

We exercise our continued dedication to equality and inclusivity by:

• Working with Vet Force and hiring military personnel and Veterans who are passionate about technology and Salesforce
• Hiring young adult professionals with little experience in the information technology or Salesforce realm and providing Salesforce hard skills training
• Developing a mentorship program for new hires to ensure employee success, understand each person’s unique working and learning styles, and build comradery between teammates
• Providing peer-to-peer training for teammates interested in learning new skill sets, tools, and technology
• Engaging with diverse human services organizations to understand and better serve their unique mission and culture

To learn more about Provisio Partners’ mission and values, click here.