Chances are you’ve attended a meeting today. Was it time well spent or a soul-draining exercise in futility? Although no two meetings are the same, their collective impact on the culture of a company is significant. Meetings matter. They are the forum where people come together to discuss ideas, make decisions, and be heard. Meetings are where culture forms, grows, and takes hold.
To Build an Inclusive Culture, Start with Inclusive Meetings
Look out for people who dominate the conversation.
September 06, 2019
Summary.
Setting a diverse workforce up for success requires a commitment to the practices of inclusion. This means more companies need to create meeting cultures where diverse contributors have equal impact. Leaders should focus on three key areas. First, create psychological safety before the meeting even begins: send the agenda out ahead of time, welcome people by name as they enter the room, and make sure the seating accommodates everyone. During the meeting itself, manage conduct. When strong personalities over-reach, tamp down offenders, and actively bring all voices into the conversation. Finally, commit to inclusion. Explicitly define what it means, be clear about what it looks like, and hold your team accountable.
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Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.
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New!
HBR Learning
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.