Inclusive leadership is a leadership style that values diversity and promotes a sense of belonging and value among all team members. Inclusive leaders are aware of their own biases and actively seek out and consider different perspectives to inform their decision-making and collaborate more effectively with others. They commit to ensuring that all team members are treated equitably, feel a sense of belonging and value, and have the resources and support they need to achieve their full potential. Inclusive leadership is important because it helps balance diverse scenarios and alternate perspectives with an open, non-judgmental mind to bring on the best results possible. Inclusive leaders also see an increase in team performance, decision-making quality, and team collaboration.

Here are some behaviors that inclusive leaders embody:

• They prioritize authenticity and psychological safety.
• They redefine the rules rather than unquestioningly following them.
• They view inclusive leadership as everyone’s responsibility, not just HR’s.
• They articulate authentic commitment to diversity, challenge the status quo, hold others accountable, and make diversity and inclusion a personal priority.
• They are aware of personal and organizational biases.
• They provide shared vision and clarity to guide others, set their people up for success, and create avenues for contributing to the larger outcome.

To practice inclusive leadership, leaders need to have a high level of self-awareness, understand their own biases, strengths, and weaknesses, and be comfortable in their own skin. They also need to foster social awareness and lead with courageous vulnerability. Inclusive leadership is a critical capability to leverage diverse thinking in a workforce with increasingly diverse markets, customers, and talent.