The benefits of an individual feeling included in the team include increased productivity, better self-esteem, and more innovative thinking. When an individual feels like they belong, it positively affects the whole team and many aspects of team effectiveness.
Whilst there has been a growing amount of research in this area, some people need help to pinpoint what they can do to encourage an inclusive remote environment beyond listening to each other's thoughts and ideas and saying hello on Slack.
“High belonging was linked to a whopping 56% increase in job performance” — Harvard Business Review
4 Tips to increase inclusion in your team
Share information:
Keep everyone up-to-date on current happenings. Shared and accessible information creates an inclusive environment because it allows everyone to be aware of what is going on; this is particularly important in a remote team. One way you can do this is by having regular team stand-ups so everyone is aware of what others are working on and are able to learn how they can help each other. Having an organisation where everyone is on the same page makes it easier to achieve common goals.
Help everyone to contribute:
One way to help create a feeling of inclusion and engagement among members is to encourage participation opportunities and allow for different modes of communication. An example of this is sharing materials before meetings, or having team members reflect on a topic individually or in pairs before coming together as a team to share their thoughts. Exploring what works for your team will help the whole team to benefit from shared insights.
Value differences:
Diversity is a key factor in the success of any company. It helps with creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. Take note of how others’ different thinking styles, strengths, and preferences bring different perspectives and ideas to the business. You can start valuing differences by being curious about what you can learn from others and how the business can benefit from individual differences.
Question the status quo:
It is important to take a step back every once in a while to reflect on your team’s behaviours; this way, you can identify any areas that need improvement. For example, do team members often place blame on one another? Or does a fear of judgement prevent people from openly sharing their ideas? By being aware of how your actions contribute to the team dynamic, you can work together to create a sense of belonging within the group
There is no “perfect way” to be inclusive; it takes small and consistent efforts and is everybody’s responsibility. Practising inclusion benefits the organization, the team and the individual.
Want to create a more inclusive team? Learn more about Jyre
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