Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace
Photo by CoWomen on Unsplash
This month I had the opportunity to engage in a profound discussion with global executives centered around the importance of igniting a deeper understanding of inclusion, resonating with the theme of International Women's Day 2024, "Inspire Inclusion." This engaging dialogue allowed us to delve into the nuances of inclusion, exploring how it differs from diversity and representation, while also sharing valuable data points, intersectional insights, and real-life scenarios.
One of our esteemed presenters, Nikki Lamba, brought invaluable expertise to the conversation. With over 13 years of experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Executive, Nikki has been instrumental in helping companies build and enhance their talent practices, DEI strategies, and policies. Currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Sixth Sense Advisory, Nikki partners with organizations, leaders, and teams to cultivate high-performing and inclusive workplaces of the future. Prior to her current role, Nikki served as the Global Chief DEI Officer at DDB Worldwide, where she spearheaded the design and implementation of DDB’s global DEI strategy.
Nikki's insights on emphasizing the importance of intentional actions in creating inclusive environments illuminated our discussion. By sharing real-life scenarios and practical strategies, for example on hybrid working situations, Nikki highlighted the transformative power of inclusive leadership and organizational practices. As she noted, "in a hybrid work environment, intentional leadership is the cornerstone of inclusivity. Elevating the voices of distributed teams ensures a greater sense of belonging and equity. By flipping the narrative and prioritizing remote participants, we cultivate a culture where everyone is heard and seen from the outset."
During our conversation, several participants shared diverse perspectives on gender equality and inclusion. The women highlighted ongoing struggles for equality and the importance of allyship, with a UK-based participant mentioning her recent involvement in a strike for pay equity. Others noted the differences in the International Women's Day celebrations between different countries, in particular China and the US. The group also chatted about the importance of the role of community and diverse storytelling in empowering change. One participant discussed combating workplace bias through presentations and podcasts featuring multicultural leaders, while many others advocated for highlighting differences through the use of personal stories, storytelling and community support to promote inclusion.
One participant expressed fervent support for normalizing gender equality by launching a podcast to amplify women's voices, reflecting another woman’s dedication to fostering inclusive environments through personal growth and challenging norms. The group also shared that different online media platforms, like Medium, help to amplify diverse voices. Overall, the group reaffirmed that shared experiences and mentorship are vital in creating inclusive environments.
As we continue our journey towards fostering inclusion, it's vital to reflect on the rich and diverse experiences shared. And to that end, I’d like to hear from each of you - How do you celebrate International Women's Day (if you celebrate it), and what significance does it hold for you? What can we do individually and collectively to “Inspire Inclusion”?
These conversations are essential as they allow us to draw inspiration from each other's journeys and commit to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in our pursuit of building equitable and thriving workplaces worldwide.
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Reflect on the theme of inclusion, echoing International Women's Day 2024's "Inspire Inclusion," and contemplate the following:
What are ways that you can actively promote diversity and inclusivity within your workplace?
What daily actions do you take as a leader to advance gender equity both in professional and personal spheres?
Is International Women's Day (IWD) important to you? How does it influence your actions?
What changes could your company implement to better empower women?
Recall a real-life scenario or anecdote that highlights an inclusive practice. What lesson can you learn from it?