How do you role model inclusion? | Inclusive Employers

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Why is role modelling important for inclusion?

I want you to imagine that you are at a party, maybe a wedding or birthday party. Everyone is sitting around the edge of a big empty dance floor chatting and having a drink. Your favourite song to dance to comes on but no one else is ready to dance. Who would get up anyway? Would you be the first one on the dance floor and dance by yourself?

For me, just the thought of that brings on a lot of social anxiety and I personally would have to wait until there was at least a small group bopping away before getting up to dance.

This is what is required to be an inclusion role model. It can be incredibly hard to be the only one, to lead the way, to put yourself out there. It requires vulnerability, authenticity, and courage. If a few brave people get up on that dance floor usually more and more people follow until the dance floor is full!

Although it is hard, it is incredibly important to role model inclusion within your organisation. Especially if you are a leader. If you lead the way, others will follow.

As an example, I remember, whilst working as a Head of Operations, I volunteered to share my personal experiences at an all-staff conference for World Mental Health Day. As I stepped on stage my heart was pounding, my voice was shaking, and I felt mildly faint. I managed to talk and shared my personal experiences of mental ill health and how I now look after myself and preserve my recovery.

Although it was a challenging thing to do, the response was incredible. Following this action my colleagues shared their personal experiences with me, we were able to come together as part of a Managing for Mental Wellbeing working group. We developed training, wrote guides and reviewed our policies and processes.

“You do not have to be a leader or manager to be an inclusion role model. Every single employee within your organisation can inspire others and create change.”

Learn more about nurturing and developing role models within your organisation

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How can leaders role model inclusion?

As a leader you have a responsibility to be the example when it comes to inclusive behaviour. Role modelling for inclusion is about taking action to encourage and inspire others to act inclusively.

Here are some ideas for acting as a role model as a leader within your organisation:

Share your own stories – especially if they involve challenges, learning and personal growth. Some people may worry about oversharing but if you ask yourself “am I creating emotional labour for myself or anyone else through sharing this” it will help you share with good boundaries. Personal stories can inspire and build connection and trust.
Actively champion and sponsor activities – attending an inclusion event, sponsoring an employee network or being part of your EDI committee sends a strong message that inclusion is important to you.
Model inclusive leadership behaviour – as a leader you can shape your workplace culture. For example, if you take time to discuss how a change will impact on different groups of people, if you share your pronouns, if you ask about workplace adjustments, other people will follow.
Reward inclusive behaviour – communicate that inclusion is important to your organisation by building it in to performance structures, appraisals, bonuses, feedback and praise.

How to engage employees to be leaders in inclusion

You do not have to be a leader or manager to be an inclusion role model. Every single employee within your organisation can inspire others and create change.

Here are some ideas for empowering everyone to act as inclusion role models:

Recruit inclusion allies – encourage passionate employees to become inclusion allies to champion inclusion, positively challenge and support their colleagues. You can support them through delivering an Inclusive Employers Inclusion Allies programme.
Engage in employee networks – network members gain an opportunity to be leaders and to shape the direction of your strategy. Our network academy programme is a great way to ensure they have impact in their role.
Develop knowledge and self-awareness – encourage all to accept that as human beings we have bias, blind spots and gaps in our inclusion knowledge. Role model taking time to learn and share your learning with others.

How can Inclusive Employers support you to role model inclusion?

As a leader, Inclusive Employers can support you with a range of training to upskill you to be a role model, including our Inclusive Leadership programme and our CMI qualifications. For employees, Inclusive Employers can also support with delivering Developing Role Models Training.

Learn more about Developing Role Models training

Grow your team

When you become an Inclusive Employers’ Member you grow your I&D team.

Your account manager works with you to understand your goals, your challenges and achievable next steps.

Do you need more support for your inclusive culture to thrive?

Learn about membership today

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April 30 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

How to role model inclusion in the workplace

Grow your team

Why is role modelling important for inclusion?

“You do not have to be a leader or manager to be an inclusion role model. Every single employee within your organisation can inspire others and create change.”

How can leaders role model inclusion?

How to engage employees to be leaders in inclusion

How can Inclusive Employers support you to role model inclusion?

Grow your team

Upcoming webinars – Members receive 5 free place on each and every webinar