Last updated on Aug 22, 2024

You're transitioning to a more inclusive company culture. How can you keep communication channels effective?

Transitioning to a more inclusive company culture is a significant and commendable step. It's about embracing diversity in all its forms—gender, race, age, sexual orientation, and more—and ensuring that every employee feels valued and heard. As you embark on this journey, maintaining effective communication channels is paramount. They are the lifelines that connect the diverse voices within your organization, fostering understanding and collaboration. To ensure these channels remain open and effective, you'll need to be proactive, intentional, and adaptive.

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1 Embrace Transparency

Transparency is the bedrock of trust within an inclusive culture. By clearly communicating your goals for inclusivity and the steps you're taking to achieve them, you create a sense of shared purpose. This involves openly discussing the challenges and successes of your inclusivity initiatives, which encourages employees to feel invested in the process. When team members understand the 'why' behind your actions, they're more likely to engage in open dialogue, share their perspectives, and contribute to a more inclusive environment.

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David Dibble

3D Healthcare 💙 Effective and Sustainable Workflow Improvement in Care Delivery ♦ C-suites: Eliminate the Need for More Cost Cutting ♦ 3D Train the Trainer Certification Program ♦ A Loving Organization Culture Change
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An inclusive culture is one where we can be more of who we are, loving human beings connected to each other emotionally. We care about each other. Contrast this with legacy, top/down, command and control, fear-based cultures that create separation among people. In these cultures, people become things--numbers. Realize that business culture is defined by emotional energy, fear and stress in bad cultures and love/support in good ones. Love is transparent. Fear is opaque.

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Suhail Akhtar

EFU General Insurance Ltd
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Ensure transparency by regularly updating the team on progress and goals. Encourage open dialogue where all voices are heard, creating spaces for feedback and discussion. Use multiple channels of meetings, emails, and collaboration tools to reach everyone. Promote active listening and respect for diverse perspectives. Provide training on inclusive communication practices, and continuously reinforce the importance of inclusion in all interactions.

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2 Encourage Feedback

Feedback is essential when shaping an inclusive culture. You need to establish mechanisms for employees to provide their thoughts and experiences without fear of reprisal. This could be through anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, or regular town hall meetings. By actively listening to and acting on feedback, you demonstrate that every voice matters. This not only helps in identifying areas for improvement but also empowers your team to play an active role in the culture change.

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David Dibble

3D Healthcare 💙 Effective and Sustainable Workflow Improvement in Care Delivery ♦ C-suites: Eliminate the Need for More Cost Cutting ♦ 3D Train the Trainer Certification Program ♦ A Loving Organization Culture Change
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Feedback comes from one of two places, love or fear. You want loving feedback that will serve the others. Avoid fear-based feedback that will received as criticism.

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3 Tailor Communication

A one-size-fits-all approach to communication can inadvertently exclude. Recognize and accommodate different communication styles and preferences within your team. Some may prefer written communication, while others thrive in face-to-face interactions. Utilizing a variety of channels—from emails and newsletters to team meetings and social platforms—ensures that everyone has access to information in a way that resonates with them. Tailored communication helps bridge gaps and build a truly inclusive culture.

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David Dibble

3D Healthcare 💙 Effective and Sustainable Workflow Improvement in Care Delivery ♦ C-suites: Eliminate the Need for More Cost Cutting ♦ 3D Train the Trainer Certification Program ♦ A Loving Organization Culture Change
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Every word starts with a thought. The experience of thoughts are defined by the emotional energy brought to the thought, either love or fear. Be proactive in choosing thoughts and words that come from love.

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4 Train Leaders

Leaders play a crucial role in driving culture change. Provide them with training on inclusive communication practices. This includes using language that is free from bias, being mindful of different cultural norms, and understanding non-verbal cues. Leaders should be equipped to facilitate inclusive meetings where every participant feels comfortable contributing. When leaders model inclusive communication, it sets the standard for the rest of the organization.

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David Dibble

3D Healthcare 💙 Effective and Sustainable Workflow Improvement in Care Delivery ♦ C-suites: Eliminate the Need for More Cost Cutting ♦ 3D Train the Trainer Certification Program ♦ A Loving Organization Culture Change
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Yes, train leaders. But in what? With 94% of the outcomes we get in the workplace being a function of the systems/workflows in which the work is done, not the efforts of people, maybe teaching leaders systems-based leadership and management would be a good thing. Maybe a little systems improvement based in the "pull" of love, not the "push" of fear would be good, too. Surely a leader or manager knowing how to set up his/her people to be successful on the job is an important skill set.

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5 Foster Collaboration

Collaboration is the lifeblood of an inclusive culture. Encourage cross-functional teams to work together on projects, which can help break down silos and promote a better understanding of different perspectives. Create spaces—physical or virtual—where employees can connect and share ideas freely. This not only stimulates innovation but also helps team members appreciate the unique contributions of their colleagues, reinforcing the value of diversity.

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David Dibble

3D Healthcare 💙 Effective and Sustainable Workflow Improvement in Care Delivery ♦ C-suites: Eliminate the Need for More Cost Cutting ♦ 3D Train the Trainer Certification Program ♦ A Loving Organization Culture Change
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A loving systems-based approach to leadership, management and problem solving is collaborative by nature. No need to foster it.

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6 Monitor Progress

Finally, it's important to monitor and measure the effectiveness of your communication strategies regularly. This involves checking in with employees to gauge their experience with the communication channels in place. Are they working as intended? Is information reaching everyone? Use these insights to make necessary adjustments and ensure that your communication efforts are supporting your goal of creating an inclusive company culture.

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You're transitioning to a more inclusive company culture. How can you keep communication channels effective?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Embrace Transparency

2 Encourage Feedback

3 Tailor Communication

4 Train Leaders

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Monitor Progress

Culture Change

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You're transitioning to a more inclusive company culture. How can you keep communication channels effective?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Embrace Transparency

2 Encourage Feedback

3 Tailor Communication

4 Train Leaders

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Monitor Progress

Culture Change

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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