Communicating Inclusively

Creating an inclusive workplace involves more than hiring people from different backgrounds, it means creating a culture that includes everyone on your team. Creating an open and safe company culture where people communicate respectfully, different viewpoints and contributions are valued, and everyone feels involved is crucial. 

Inclusion creates an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, where different groups’ talents and skills are valued, and productivity and customer service improve because employees are happier, more motivated, and more aware of the benefits that inclusion can bring.

The key to embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace is to get employee commitment. When your employees are committed, they’ll be open to examining their behavior.

• Understand social biases: Whether you are a business owner, manager, or team member, you should examine your behavior and assumptions. A typical response is for people to be defensive and say they are not biased. You can provide professional guidance, training, and tools that can help your team members identify the source of their biases, as well as how to move past them. It is easier to remove negative feelings if people are properly trained. They automatically think they are being told they are bad people. 
• Create employee resource groups (ERGs): Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employees who want to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. They support career development and wellness of group members by focusing on a particular characteristic, like gender or ethnicity. Employee resource groups create a safe space and connect marginalized groups. Allies may join to learn from and support their colleagues. 
• Develop a diverse team: Diversifying your team involves hiring people with different backgrounds. Employees will get to know people from different backgrounds, and they will be exposed to different perspectives. You can also improve the company culture and address the workplace gender gap by having a diverse team.

“Creating an inclusive culture starts with stating your commitment to diversity in your mission statement.”

Kal Gajraj

Keeping employees happy and satisfied is also a big factor in the success of inclusive workplaces. Having a range of policies and facilities in place to ensure that all employees can balance work with other aspects of their lives has a positive impact on job satisfaction, productivity, and commitment, leading to positive outcomes for their health and well-being.

Kal Gajraj is a Miami/Fort Lauderdale-based communications and brand strategist. He has two decades of marketing and public relations experience, including B2C and B2B focuses. He is a certified diversity professional with experience in healthcare, performing arts, education, and retail. Kal is currently an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College’s School of Global Business.