Inclusive leaders cultivate team dynamics that embrace inclusivity, but what do these dynamics entail? By implementing effective strategies, you can encourage positive interactions within your team, ensuring that everyone feels heard, valued, and a sense of belonging.
Influences at Work
Team dynamics encompass the interactions among group members. These interactions are sometimes referred to as “forces” at play, as they often function in subtle and unconscious ways that may not be immediately apparent but significantly impact behavior.
Our roles in the workplace and our unique identities can influence these dynamics, especially in the context of promoting inclusion.
Managers must assess the dynamics within their team to ensure that interactions and processes are equitable and balanced. Fostering inclusive team dynamics may involve openly sharing information, engaging in difficult conversations, addressing biases, celebrating achievements, and giving recognition where it is due.
As a manager, prioritizing inclusion in your team’s interactions is essential. Additionally, it’s crucial to emphasize that each individual holds a personal responsibility to uphold the team’s inclusive values. This includes being mindful of how their approach to engaging with others affects the overall sense of belonging within the team.
The exercise
You can consider the following questions and invite others to reflect on them as well:
- What dynamics do you observe within your team?
- How would you characterize the implicit understanding of inclusion in your team?
- In what ways is inclusion practiced in daily team interactions, and where could improvements be made?
- What behaviors and beliefs hinder inclusion within your team?
- How do you typically address bias within the team?
- Are there advocates and allies supporting inclusion?
- What practices could help you and your team cultivate more inclusive team dynamics?
Bring It to Coaching
Inclusive team dynamics should foster fairness in the workplace and provide opportunities for everyone to succeed and feel valued. As an inclusive leader, you can intentionally reflect on your team’s dynamics through exercises like this one, and then collaborate with your coach to identify the next steps for creating a more equitable environment for all.