Your team is facing power dynamics hindering collaboration. How can you foster inclusivity and teamwork?

To address power dynamics hindering collaboration, start by understanding the root causes. Reflect on who holds power in your team and why—whether it's job titles, tenure, expertise, or even protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion. Recognize how these structures impact team interactions and the transference of ideas. Confront these issues to dismantle barriers to inclusivity. Foster a results-based approach, focusing on shared goals and measurable outcomes. By aligning everyone towards common objectives and results, the emphasis shifts from differences to solutions, promoting a unified and equitable environment where all voices contribute to the team's success. #Leadership #Teamwork #Inclusion

Facilite diálogos honestos e crie espaços seguros para que todos possam expressar suas preocupações sem medo de retaliação. Estabeleça diretrizes claras de comunicação e colaboração, garantindo que todas as vozes sejam ouvidas. Revise papeis e responsabildiades se necessário. Incentive a prática da escuta ativa e valorize contribuições de todos os membros, independentemente de sua posição. Promova a igualdade de oportunidades e distribua responsabilidades de forma equilibrada para criar um ambiente mais colaborativo e inclusivo.

Create inclusive opportunities to contribute in team meetings or brainstorms by providing advanced notice to employees. An effective meeting agenda will include points for discussion and a clear expectation for participation. This approach is inclusive of various learning and communication styles as well as neurodiverse team members who may not be as comfortable to engage on the fly and would prefer to collect their thoughts independently before sharing with the group.

It is important to establish behavioral covenants within the group to democratize participation and promote inclusivity. Here are a few covenants that I have used: • Speaking directly to my colleagues in good faith and always assuming positive intent; • Using respectful and kind verbal and nonverbal communication at all times; • Recognizing that each of my colleagues has a unique story and accepting the reality of our differences of interpretation, opinion and experience; • Leaning in to understand the truths we may not want to hear, including concerns or grievances; • Welcoming new ideas and perspectives; • Focusing more on listening than on talking, practicing inquiry over advocacy; and • Giving each other the benefit of the doubt.

This really about practicing equity and not equality with team members. Each individual team member has a different set of experiences and obstacles to success. Intentionally engaging direct reports to uncover their specific needs will enable leaders to best support and resource those on their team.