Why inclusivity matters

Looking at the world today one thing is clear to me: violence does not nurture peace. And the only way to come together as a human family is to patiently do the work of building inclusive spaces. Spaces that allow all of us to exist, that come with fair access to opportunities, that make us feel safe and trusted, and that are built on generously supporting each other.

Embracing Inclusive Spaces

The people I admire the most as leaders in our world are people who are known for their non-violent ways of creating positive change. They have power and influence, not because they are fighting with others or asserting themselves over others. Their tools of choice are different: they listen to understand, they care, they love and trust themselves and those around them, they intentionally build safe spaces, they firmly confront unfairness and violence (without getting violent themselves). They ask questions, they share vulnerably, they’re generous and they truly believe in the interconnected nature of humans and all living creatures around us. Their focus is on creating positive outcomes.

What they do not do: create division, intentionally sow distrust, attack or kill, use language to portrait others as animals, rats, the devil or in any other way worth less than themselves, they don’t threaten those around themselves, they’re focused on empowering them. They do not use power to exploit or dominate others or create unfair advantages for themselves.

Using Power to Empower

Inclusive leaders use their power to lift others, share opportunities, create fair and equal outcomes and center a culture of learning, mastery and belonging (rather than one of hierarchy, stress and exploitation).

As a result: people generally feel safe, relaxed, trusted, encouraged, championed, challenged to be their best selves, joyful and happy in their presence.

In all honesty, that should be the smell test for leaders. How does it feel to work with them?

Do they care for you on a human level, even if you are very different from them in many ways (e.g. age, gender, color of skin, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social background, physical abilites, etc…)? Do they care about your professional development? Are they sharing access to opportunities, resources and decision-making power? Do they think beyond the impact and results of their own team?

Or is working with them something that feels very transactional, with them only engaging, when it is for their own immediate benefit?

Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations

I’m not saying there will never be any tension in the spaces of inclusive leaders. They will address selfish or unfair behaviors. They will challenge you to learn and grow (and those conversations can feel deeply uncomfortable). They will challenge you to consider other perspectives (and reflect on the consequences of your actions). They will work with the creative tension that many different perspectives have on new ideas (which makes their spaces and teams a lot more innovative as a result). They will help you see blind spots and share honest feedback (which can trigger emotions of shame, guilt, defensiveness and anger). And they will speak uncomfortable truths to you, that help you be a better version of yourself (they may e.g. point out that blind revenge and aggression as a result of an injustice are not leading you to honor your values or likely get you the peaceful outcomes you want). They may also sit with you when things are tough, and invite you to be with and move through those emotions that you would like to rather not experience.

So no, being with somebody who embraces inclusivity does not always mean it’s comfortable. But it will be safe enough, generous enough, compassionate enough and kind enough for you to also be in that uncomfortable growth and learning space with them.

Celebrating Success and Fostering Learning

Inclusive leaders will also celebrate your success with you. They will tell you what you’re great at, make you feel appreciated for who you are, champion you, and cheer you on when things get hard. They will have your back when you make an honest mistake. They’ll create spaces where you and everyone around you is learning together, collaborating well, co-creating, having fun enjoying your successes, and helping each other get up again in the face of failures.

They frame failures as a learning opportunity and a gift in disguise. They do this because they understand that we are always in this together in our human experience. We each have one life. And we get to choose whether we want to center love, understanding, empathy and joint creation, or engage in behaviors that hurt others (and with that at the same time our shared human family).

Choosing a Path Forward

I’m doing my work as a product leadership and executive leadership coach to help nurture more of these kinds of leaders. We urgently need them in our world today.

We as humans are facing many challenges: climate change, wars, terrorism, diseases and poverty to just name a few.

The best way to address those is with leaders, who center our shared humanity, who created inclusive, innovative and creative spaces for tackling these challenges. We all need a livable planet, we all want to live in peace and have access to opportunities and a decent joyful, healthy life.

Leadership styles have consequences

I’m not naive and am of course noticing that we have many leaders in power who are there for other reasons; like their own personal power, wealth and ego. Leaders, who are not invested in de-escalating, who don’t create spaces that provide equal opportunities, who only look out for themselves and those loyal to them.

And here is what they create: wars, narratives of division, justified anger, trauma and hurt as a result of unfairness, oppression, exploitation and systems that are built on power over others in some way. Their stories are very often based in stoking fears. Fears of not enough for everybody, fears of “others”, stories of mistrust and the assumtion of bad intentions.

Taking Steps Towards Inclusivity

Leadership means to set course for something, rooting it in your values, bringing your actions in line with these values and co-creating the outcomes you want with those around you.

My vision for our world is one that is centering love, joy, inclusivity, equality, belonging, trust, creative expression, learning, mastery, balance, healing and beauty. My invitation to you is to create that kind of a world with me. One step at a time. One interaction at a time. One project or product at a time. One relationship at a time.

You can always ask yourself: it this decision leading to more inclusive outcomes? Is the product I build advancing inclusivity? Are my hiring practices, training budgets, succession planning and promotions advancing diversity, equality, inclusivity and belonging?

Are my everyday interactions at the hair salon, the supermarket, the coffee shop, the neighbors, with the person sitting next to me in the subway in line with truly holding everyone as equally worthy? What else can I do to advance joyful and inclusive outcomes in my sphere of influence?

The lack of focus on these questions is on display in our world today. We can all be part of making better choices! With our votes, with our families, with our teams, with our purchasing and investment decisions and with a clear commitment to center, build and participate in inclusive spaces. Building a more peaceful world is something we are all capable to contribute to.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

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If you would like to explore this more: reach out for a free coaching session with me.
I coach, speak, do workshops and blog about #leadership, #product leadership, #AIEthics #innovation, the #importance of creating a culture of belonging and how to succeed with your #hybrid or #remote teams.

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