Leading through volatility: Creating inclusivity out of uncertainty

Mitigating risk, encouraging collaboration, and thriving through change

We’re living in a volatile time, experiencing serious global events and economic ups and downs. It leaves us wondering about what’s coming next. And the feeling of uncertainty that goes with it creates a sweeping undercurrent that can impact our decisions, our choices and affect the very culture of our organizations. It can stifle creativity, push back innovation and crush morale. But none of that needs to happen.

There is a way to rise above pending turmoil and keep our organizations resilient, no matter what’s ahead. There is a way that we can help our organizations and our employees to not only survive but thrive—even in the face of uncertainty. And here’s something that might surprise you. The answer lies in our ability to build and maintain a culture of inclusivity, where all employees feel safe, respected and appreciated—and where awareness, empathy and transparency lead the way. 

Let’s look at how inclusivity can support organizations during a time of change, how it mitigates organizational risk and go over five building blocks for achieving inclusive leadership under pressure. 

Why inclusivity matters now more than ever

During these times of uncertainty, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is put to the test. And there can exist a misapplied sense that when times are good, leaders can afford to focus on an inclusive culture, but when the stakes are high, priorities must shift to more pressing matters. But nothing could be further from the truth. There are some very compelling reasons why maintaining a culture of inclusivity is more important now than ever before. Here’s why.

An inclusive culture can help organizations to:

Build trust and resilience in the face of challenges. McKinsey researchers describe resilience “as the ability to deal with adversity, withstand shocks, and continuously adapt and accelerate as disruptions and crises arise over time.” Because inclusion means that everyone’s contribution is valued, it is closely tied to trust, an essential part of building resilience. Research finds that employees who trust their colleagues, managers, and leaders are an astonishing 42 times more likely to be highly resilient.

Apply innovative thinking and increase collaboration. Because inclusion requires having respect for our differences, it has the power to cut through siloes and enhance greater innovation and collaboration. Organizations with an inclusive culture are six times more likely to be innovative and agile and 75% faster at bringing products to market.

Thrive through adversity and futureproof the organization. Not only can inclusion help organizations to survive through difficult times, it can enable them to thrive. Research shows inclusion can improve team performance by up to 30 percent.  And it can future-proof an organization for long-term resilience. Consider that inclusive organizations are an astounding 87% more likely to make better decisions.

“Resilient organizations foster a diverse and inclusive workforce, one in which everyone feels included and is expected to perform their best even during times of crisis. These organizations’ cultures and processes foster security, belonging, and adaptability.“

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How inclusivity mitigates risk

In addition to strengthening the business, evidence is mounting that inclusion can play a central role in mitigating both legal and strategic risk. And that’s something that is critical when organizations are already facing a slew of potential economic risks that are not within their control.

An inclusive culture can help organizations to:

Prevent harassment. When employees are under stress, their behavior is affected. Consider research showing that stress can lead to increased instances of bad behavior and harassment in the workplace. Building awareness of what is and is not acceptable behavior in an inclusive culture can mitigate this risk. 

Avoid expensive, disruptive and damaging legal problems. The risk of bad behavior has fiscal consequences as well. Workplace misconduct cost U.S. businesses $20 billion and the EEOC reported $61.6 million in monetary benefits for harassment charges. And that’s just in a single year. Because inclusive culture instills the values of fairness, appreciation and respect it can save your organization from these costly situations.

Protect your reputation. Research by UCLA found that a single harassment claim “can be enough to dramatically shape public perception of a company and elicit perceptions of structural unfairness. In the public’s mind, there seems to be no such thing as a bad apple.” Organizations with inclusive cultures provide employees with the education and guidance they need to help prevent harassment.

Reduce costly turnover. Inclusion is critical to retention. Research from a Deloitte’s survey revealed that 39% of employees said they would leave their current organization for a more inclusive one and 23% said they have already left because of a lack of inclusivity.

Avoid loss of customers. “The American consumer is undeniably becoming more inclusive,” say experts at McKinsey. Research indicates that two out of three Americans say that their social values now shape their shopping choices—clearly showing that inclusion has as much impact externally as it does internally.

Broaden a dwindling talent pool. Not having the talent you need to achieve the company’s goals is a major business risk. Creating an inclusive culture can make you an “employer of choice,” if you consider research from Monster.com showing that 86 percent of job seekers place a high value on inclusion and 62 percent would turn down an offer from a company that did not support inclusion.

5 building blocks for inclusive leadership—especially when you’re under pressure

In a previous HR.com article, The Missing DEI Strategy: Cultivating Inclusive Leadership, we talked about the fact that inclusive leaders have a differentiating set of characteristics and behaviors. It starts with how they impart a sense of belonging that makes everyone feel like they are an important part of the organization. They know how to actively listen and show their own vulnerability in a way that engenders trust and supports employees to connect and share. 

They are culturally and emotionally intelligent and use empathy to create strong bonds, supporting others to do the same. They see challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, putting the focus on rewarding and upskilling their workforce. They make employees feel safe to present their whole selves in the workplace.

For building an inclusive workplace in the face of uncertainty and pressure, these leadership qualities are critical. Here are the building blocks that can help you get there.

1. Balance confidence with vulnerability and empathy 
The days of the tightlipped stalwart leader are over. Today’s leader must find the balance between being confident, vulnerable and empathetic. That means accepting and acknowledging that you may not have all the answers, but being confident that you will work to find the right solutions. 

How: Become aware and attune to what it means to embody the values of an empathetic leader, including such qualities as honesty, transparency, authenticity and kindness.

2. Actively seek out input and ideas 
In stressful situations, it can be hard to accept input. But the best leaders know that ideas and solutions around difficult problems can come from anywhere in the organization. When leaders and managers not only stay open to receiving input, but actively seek it out, problem solving can become a unifier that fosters greater collaboration throughout the organization. 

How: Create an ongoing feedback loop with employees (both formal and informal) to “crowdsource” potential solutions to organizational issues.

3. Build and mirror positive behaviors 
Some conflict in the workplace is normal. But in a time of uncertainty when tensions run high, stress can take over. Conflict is more likely to give rise to negative behaviors that can damage workplace relationships. All employees, including leaders and managers, need guidance on how to effectively manage conflict, including the use of constructive feedback and effective communication techniques. 

How: Tap into training and guidance you need to build and reinforce positive behaviors in stressful times, in yourself and your employees.

4. Focus on creating team psychological safety
HBR author Amy Gallo defines team psychological safety as, “…a shared belief held by members of a team that it’s OK to take risks, to express their ideas and concerns, to speak up with questions, and to admit mistakes—all without fear of negative consequences.” Psychological safety is also a critical part of inclusion that makes employees feel more engaged and motivated. It also leads to better decision-making and fosters a culture of continuous learning. One change to make in your behavior: replace blame with curiosity and kindness.

How: Take steps to assess whether your team feels psychologically safe and learn what behavioral changes you need to make to create this kind of team dynamic.

5. Put inclusive management into practice 
Leaders and managers are an organization’s most important asset, especially in uncertain times. That’s because you are a primary organizational conduit, yielding influence in multiple directions—your team, peers and top leadership. And you play a critical role in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment. You’ll just need to cultivate the awareness and get the education and support you need to get there. 

How: Become educated in inclusive management practices with a focus on leading teams, making recruiting, hiring and onboarding decisions.

The building blocks above give you a glimpse into what it takes to create inclusivity out of uncertainty. But if there’s one thing to keep in mind above all else, it’s that inclusion is also a long-term solution. It works in volatile times because it unifies people and enables them to tackle difficult problems together. But it also impacts the future. Long after the economic twists and turns of the day have passed, inclusion will continue to help you reap rewards in the form of greater innovation, organizational resilience, employee commitment, talent retention and customer loyalty.

Traliant Resources 

For more information on Traliant’s DEI training click here.