{"id":2198,"date":"2025-04-17T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/?p=2198"},"modified":"2025-03-29T15:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T19:10:40","slug":"why-inclusive-leadership-drives-better-teams-and-how-to-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/why-inclusive-leadership-drives-better-teams-and-how-to-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Inclusive Leadership Drives Better Teams\u2014And How to Start"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>\u201cWhat leaders say and do makes up to a 70% difference as to whether an individual reports feeling included.\u201d \u2014 Harvard Business Review<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever felt uncertain about speaking up on the subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion\u2014especially if you hold a position of privilege\u2014this conversation is for you. In a recent Future of Team podcast episode, we dove into the topic of <strong>inclusive leadership<\/strong>, exploring the fears, the blind spots, and the genuine excitement that comes from wanting to build truly welcoming workplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below you\u2019ll find the key ideas we discussed and some practical ways you can cultivate more inclusive leadership in your own team or organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-privilege-conundrum\">The \u201cPrivilege Conundrum\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest hurdles many leaders\u2014particularly those who are part of majority groups\u2014face is <strong>the fear of \u201cgetting it wrong.\u201d<\/strong> They want to be allies, but worry about overstepping or misspeaking. This hesitation often prevents meaningful engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Admit You Don\u2019t Know Everything<\/strong><br>Humility is a hallmark of an inclusive leader. Owning up to your blind spots or mistakes fosters trust and encourages a culture where everyone feels comfortable speaking candidly. (See the Future of Team principle of <strong>Transparent Leadership<\/strong>\u2014openness about challenges and decisions goes a long way in building trust.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be Willing to Invite Correction<\/strong><br>In the podcast, we acknowledged that we\u2019re open to being corrected if we use the wrong term or overlook a crucial perspective. That willingness to learn publicly signals psychological safety and encourages a healthier exchange of ideas (<strong>Candid Communication<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traits of an Inclusive Leader<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From a popular Harvard Business Review study, we singled out <strong>six key traits<\/strong> often present in inclusive leaders. Here\u2019s a quick recap and why they matter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Visible Commitment<\/strong><br>Leaders must do more than pay lip service. They should personally advocate for and invest in inclusion efforts. This could look like budgeting for DEI training or publicly recognizing underrepresented voices in the organization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Humility<\/strong><br>Admit mistakes. Demonstrate that you are learning. A leader who says, \u201cI\u2019m not an expert in this, but I\u2019m committed to growing,\u201d makes it safe for others to come forward with their own uncertainties or ideas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awareness of Bias<\/strong><br>We all have biases based on our upbringing or personal experiences. The question is whether we\u2019re prepared to confront them. Taking time to reflect (or even do an online bias assessment) is a proactive step.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curiosity About Others<\/strong><br>The conversation frequently returned to empathy. Approach your team members with genuine curiosity. Ask questions about their backgrounds, their traditions, or simply about their weekend. People are more than just \u201cresources\u201d for tasks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultural Intelligence<\/strong><br>With today\u2019s remote workforce, you may have team members in six different countries. Take the initiative to learn about how cultural norms shape communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. The book <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/erinmeyer.com\/books\/the-culture-map\/\">The Culture Map<\/a><\/em> by Erin Meyer<\/strong> was mentioned as a great resource.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effective Collaboration<\/strong><br>Inclusive leaders deliberately invite diverse perspectives. They also value psychological safety. In other words, <strong>\u201cHow do you create a space where no one feels shut down or judged?\u201d<\/strong> When diverse teams feel safe, they bring innovation to new heights.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Real-World Snapshot: Women in WordPress Leadership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the episode, we highlighted an ongoing mentorship initiative for women in WordPress. This program matches female-identifying professionals with established women leaders in the ecosystem. The goal is to <strong>foster confidence and skill-building<\/strong> so more women can step into leadership roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a prime example of <strong>Empowered Ownership<\/strong>\u2014another Future of Team principle\u2014where individuals are given the autonomy and support to become leaders themselves. It also shows the impact of <strong>intentional<\/strong> programming to address specific barriers faced by underrepresented groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Ways to Live Out Inclusive Leadership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s one thing to \u201cknow\u201d these traits; it\u2019s another to <strong>practice<\/strong> them. Here are some next steps you can take right away:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Form a Diverse Personal \u201cBoard of Advisors\u201d<\/strong><br>Identify at least three to five people from different backgrounds and experiences who can give you unfiltered feedback on your leadership approach. These advisors may be peers, mentors, or even team members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add an \u201cInclusion Moment\u201d to Your Team Meetings<\/strong><br>Dedicate a brief agenda item where you share something you\u2019ve learned about inclusion or highlight someone\u2019s inclusive behavior. This keeps the topic top-of-mind and normalizes ongoing learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Join or Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)<\/strong><br>If your company has groups for underrepresented or marginalized employees, show up as an ally. Make sure you\u2019re clear that you\u2019re there to learn and support\u2014then listen more than you speak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Audit Your Communication Habits<\/strong><br>Do a quick scan of the words and phrases you use every day. Phrases like \u201chey guys\u201d might feel harmless, but can subtly alienate those who don\u2019t identify as \u201cguys.\u201d Simple shifts in language\u2014like \u201cteam,\u201d \u201cfolks,\u201d or \u201ceveryone\u201d\u2014can help cultivate a more welcoming environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get Curious About Your Biases<\/strong><br>Consider free online tests (like <a href=\"https:\/\/implicit.harvard.edu\/implicit\/takeatest.html\">Harvard\u2019s Project Implicit<\/a>) or simply journal about moments where you\u2019ve made assumptions. The more you know, the less these biases will control your decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How This Ties into the Future of Team Framework<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At Future of Team, <strong>Inclusive Culture<\/strong> is one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/the-openteam-framework-people-first-approach-for-wordpress-teams\/\">eight guiding principles<\/a>. We firmly believe that an inclusive workplace elevates creativity, collaboration, and long-term success. But inclusive culture doesn\u2019t stand alone\u2014it links to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Transparent Leadership<\/strong>: Leaders must be transparent about their efforts to learn and evolve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Candid Communication<\/strong>: Speak openly about your inclusion goals, progress, and even failures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Empowered Ownership<\/strong>: Give space for everyone, including underrepresented voices, to shape processes and initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When all these elements come together, you set a clear example that goes beyond rhetoric and becomes part of your organization\u2019s DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parting Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Inclusive leadership is a journey, not a one-time checklist. As the podcast conversation underscored, it demands <strong>intentionality, humility, and a commitment to ongoing learning<\/strong>. Start with small steps\u2014try a new inclusive phrase, join a mentorship program, or simply become comfortable saying, \u201cI don\u2019t know everything, but I\u2019m open to learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, these small efforts accumulate, transforming not just individual leaders but entire organizations. And that, ultimately, helps us build the people-first cultures we believe in here at Future of Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Want more on building inclusive workplaces?<\/strong><br>Check out our other resources\u2014like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/p\/culture-audit\/\">Culture Audit<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/experience\/framework\/\">Framework<\/a><\/strong> tools\u2014for a deeper look at how to operationalize inclusion and other core aspects of a healthy, people-first team. If you have your own thoughts or experiences on inclusive leadership, we\u2019d love to hear from you. Let\u2019s learn together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post is based on a recent Future of Team podcast episode featuring James and Dee. For more conversations like this, <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignministry.com\/futureofteam\/resources\/podcast\/\">subscribe to our podcast<\/a> and follow along as we explore all aspects of building thriving, people-first teams.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering how to create a truly inclusive, people-first team? Dive into these practical tips\u2014simple language shifts, curiosity, and allyship\u2014that can elevate every voice and spark deeper engagement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2199,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,17],"tags":[92,93,94,95,91],"class_list":["post-2198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-experience","category-team-culture","tag-diversity","tag-equity","tag-inclusive-culture","tag-inclusive-leadership","tag-inclusivity"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.8 (Yoast SEO v25.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Inclusive Leadership Drives Better Teams\u2014And How to Start - Future of Team<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Empower every voice with small shifts in language &amp; leadership. 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