Inclusion is The Great Multiplier!
In today's fast-paced and competitive world, businesses are constantly looking for ways to stand out from the competition, stay innovative, and outperform their rivals. They implement different strategies and initiatives to try to achieve these goals, but one crucial aspect that is often overlooked is inclusion. Inclusion, as the great multiplier, is and should be seen as the cornerstone that successful businesses are built on, catalysing increased performance, employee engagement, and sustainable growth.
Strategy: The North Star of Organisational Inclusion
Before starting any journey towards creating inclusion in an organisation, it’s so important to start with a clear strategy. Strategy serves as the north star, guiding every decision and action taken to foster a culture of inclusion. It provides the 'why' behind the initiatives and serves as a point of reference, aligning organisational objectives with the mission of inclusivity. Without a well-defined strategy, efforts to promote inclusion usually fall flat, as seen from organisations that spend huge amounts of money recruiting diverse employees, only to lose them just as quickly.
Inclusion: The Key to Increased performance
Research consistently demonstrates the positive and significant impact of inclusion on organisational performance. When employees feel valued, respected, and included, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed to their work. It’s a no brainer. This optimised engagement translates to increased productivity, greater creativity, and improved problem-solving abilities. In essence, inclusion is a catalyst for unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams, driving performance to new levels.
Inclusive organisations attract and retain top talent from diverse backgrounds, because their culture reflects Inclusion and is driven by strategy. By creating an environment where every individual's unique perspectives and talents are embraced, organisations can tap into a broader pool of skills and experiences, enabling a culture that drives continuous learning and innovation. This competitive advantage is what enables businesses to stay ahead of the curve and outshine their rivals in today's continually changing marketplace, especially in the wake of AI.
Inclusion: A Great Multiplier for All
Contrary to what is currently being banded about, inclusion doesn’t just benefit specific groups or individuals but the entire organisation as a whole. By creating an inclusive culture, organisations create environments that are conducive to collaboration, trust, and cohesion among team members, breaking down silos and promoting synergy across departments and functions. Teams that aren’t burdened by the impact of a lack of inclusion on their colleagues and friends from the Global majority are also happier and enjoy the environment they work in because everyone is thriving. Collaborative environments facilitate knowledge sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and collective problem-solving, leading to better decision-making and superior outcomes. There is no ‘Them and Us’ in Inclusive organisations.
Inclusion isn’t just a nice-to-have initiative and your Inclusion strategy shouldn’t just be an outdated document that you pull together using ChatGPT to tick a box. Inclusion is a strategic imperative for businesses that truly want to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage. The call to action is that when you’re weighing up the costs and benefits of investing in Inclusion, it is essential to recognise the transformative power of inclusion in driving employee engagement, performance, and overall business success. Therefore, I urge businesses to prioritise inclusion as the great multiplier that will always give back more than it costs.
Inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do.