Here's how you can cultivate a culture of respect and inclusivity within your teams.

Imagine a team where everyone brings fresh ideas to the table. That's the power of a diverse workplace! People from different backgrounds challenge each other's thinking, which can lead to cooler solutions. Brainstorming with a mix of perspectives sparks innovation. Diverse teams consider all angles, leading to well-rounded choices. Companies can find the perfect person for the job, whoever they are. As well as a diverse team can better connect with a diverse customer base. Diversity isn't just fair, it's a recipe for success!

The key to effective management, especially in culturally sensitive contexts, is maintaining open channels of communication with your team. Often, communication is limited to assigning tasks and discussing expected outcomes. However, true communication involves being transparent about the demands and pressures faced by both you as a manager and your colleagues as a team. When the team understands these dynamics, they are more likely to feel invested in their tasks and take ownership of their contributions towards achieving the team's goals. On the other hand, vague and insubstantial communication makes it challenging to gain your team's full support and engagement.

As a leader provide opportunities for team members to communicate up. What specific avenues have you provided for your direct reports to give you candid feedback? If employee feedback inspires you to change your approach or sparks a new idea, give the employee credit for their contribution. This behavior will inspire trust and drive inclusion on your team as members feel they are heard and their contributions are valued and respected.

Leading doesn't always mean achieving all your KPIs or showcasing impressive numbers. True leadership often involves having the empathy to understand the unique circumstances of each team member. One of the major challenges new managers face is gaining their team's trust. A good way to build this trust is by spending quality time with each team member, getting to know their life stories and individual situations. This understanding allows you, as a manager, to empathize effectively and tailor tasks to suit each team member's needs. When you achieve this, it becomes easier to lead by example. You position yourself to lead from behind, rather than from the front, ensuring that your team receives the recognition and limelight they deserve.

As a manager, fostering collaboration requires tailored strategies that suit the specific context of your organization. In a setting where there is a homogeneity of skills, qualifications, and expertise, collaboration can be encouraged by assigning tasks equitably based on each team member's skills, positions, and experiences. Conversely, in environments where skills are diverse, you should initially work alongside your team to perform tasks. This approach allows you to mentor your team while providing reassurance that you will support them in case of failure. By doing so, your team will feel less intimidated by tasks and be more motivated to collaborate effectively.

What isn't measured cannot be improved. Inclusion can seem hard to quantify. How do you measure inclusivity in a team culture? Employee engagement surveys provide opportunities to measure employee experience including in areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Consider key projects and decision-making opportunities - Are these inclusive? Are diverse voices and perspectives represented and able to contribute?

In today's job market, management is often approached through a Eurocentric lens, with fixed hierarchies and rigid task allocation processes. However, managing a diverse team requires flexibility and the ability to devise strategies on the go. For instance, If you supervise a staff member from a collectivist background and culture, where ties to extended family and community are strong, personal losses can significantly impact their performance. In such cases, it is essential to understand their grief or trauma and adjust their tasks accordingly, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and empathy.