{"id":210817,"date":"2018-09-25T11:18:55","date_gmt":"2018-09-25T10:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letstalktalent.co.uk\/?p=210817"},"modified":"2023-11-29T13:59:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T13:59:14","slug":"creating-an-inclusive-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letstalktalent.co.uk\/blog\/creating-an-inclusive-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating an Inclusive Culture – Why Diversity Alone Won\u2019t Lead to Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When we think about the culture within an organisation, it\u2019s easy to see how diversity is accepted as an integral part of what an HRD and CEO need to think about strategically as well as operationally through their systems and processes. Having a balance of talent from a wide variety of backgrounds and ethnicities is important, whilst reflecting your ability to move beyond prejudice on gender, sexuality, race, religion and age seems like the very least any organisation should be doing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you have a diverse workforce within a culture that is not inclusive then you won\u2019t find success.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

However, if you have a diverse workforce within a culture that is not inclusive then you won\u2019t find success, because the culture will only be superficial and the thinking will still be inhibiting performance, innovation and the retention of talent.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been able to hit all the targets on diversity and it\u2019s still not quite happening in terms of performance then you need to look at inclusion.  In fact, it\u2019s essential.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inclusion and Diversity.  What Do I Mean, Exactly?<\/strong>
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In a nutshell: <\/span>Inclusion<\/span><\/i> needs to be your DNA. <\/span>Diversity<\/span><\/i> is a helpful indicator of your baseline.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your organisation reflects your customer base, the community you serve, the society you\u2019re part of<\/span> and<\/span><\/i> your employees can be themselves at work, then you have inclusion.  Teams work well, management are fully resourced and the energy of your culture is cohesive.  Your people are able to respond constructively to whatever challenges you face and they love working for you. Customers are happy because they feel understood, they spread that message to others and revenues grow.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re organisation has hit all its targets on culture, race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and age then you have diversity.  Diversity is essential but in itself, can be one-dimensional when not part of a robust and holistic organisational model. It\u2019s just the baseline.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diversity is essential but in itself, can be one-dimensional when not part of a robust and holistic organisational model.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I was speaking to someone recently who was working in a senior HR role with a large organisation. When she became pregnant with her third child she realised her career would be limited and she now faced some awkward conversations with her bosses. This kind of thing is an example of a lack of inclusion.  The organisational thinking is not joined up. It belongs in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking things further, awkward conversations with bosses can highlight a multitude of issues around inclusion. Whether it\u2019s over the school run, parental leave for parents of <\/span>any<\/span><\/i> gender or orientation, having time off for a religious festival or just a lack of empathy for employees we don\u2019t fully understand – such a lack of organisational elasticity will nearly always point to issues around inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do The Best Organisations Get This Right?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft\u2019s approach is impressive and much can be learnt from how highly they prioritise inclusion:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategy:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maximize the business impact of global diversity and inclusion to empower our people, transform our culture and delight our customers.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft, <\/span><\/i>The Business of Inclusion<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s encouraging to see how carefully and thoroughly they integrate inclusion with diversity at every level of their organisation:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n