The importance of fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace is understood, but how to actually do it is trickier. Here are five ways to get started.
Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for the success and well-being of employees and the organization. When people feel valued and work together, innovation thrives, productivity soars, and job satisfaction increases.
A recent Zoom blog reported that “70% of employees believe better collaboration can have a positive impact on employee productivity and time savings” (Alludo) and that “about 64% of workers report losing at least three hours of productivity per week due to poor collaboration” (Alludo).
So, if the importance of fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace is understood, how do you actually do it? Here are five strategies to get started.
Promote Open Communication. Encourage an open dialogue with your team and ensure all members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions. You can do this by holding regular meetings where everyone is invited to speak or can submit topics for discussion anonymously.
Embrace Diversity & Provide Training and Development. Develop and enforce policies that promote respect, inclusion, and equality. Clearly communicate your organization's commitment to DEIB initiatives and back up your statements by offering diversity and inclusion training to educate employees about unconscious biases and cultural competency, including fun experiences where you can learn about others' cultures.
Encourage Collaboration. When everyone feels like their voice matters, a more cohesive team dynamic develops behind a shared company goal. By encouraging collaborative projects and cross-functional teamwork, you can foster a team-oriented culture. Be sure to recognize and reward collaborative contributions, not just individuals.
Solicit Feedback and Act on It. Regularly seek feedback from employees about the workplace environment and their experiences, and then acknowledge it and act on it to show that you take their opinions seriously.
Lead by Example. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion by bringing groups of individuals together in a way that leverages their strengths. Schedule get-togethers to create community among your employees and reinforce your trust in their abilities through your daily actions and decision-making.
These five strategies are just the beginning. Inclusive and collaborative environments aim to create a psychologically safe place for team members to communicate, innovate, and grow. They are essential for employee engagement and satisfaction, as well as for higher levels of company morale and productivity. Managers who diligently work at implementing a framework for inclusive collaboration will go the distance to help their teams know they matter.
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