Inclusive Excellence: Driving DEIABJ Initiatives for Success

by Jul 25, 2023

In a world where we are increasingly connected and diverse, the workplace needs to adapt accordingly. Creating an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and justice benefits not only the employees, but the organization as a whole. The workplace is a reflection of the world we live in. It is our responsibility to foster an inclusive workplace culture that will allow everyone to thrive.

An inclusive workplace prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is essential to create an environment where people from all backgrounds can feel valued and heard. Inclusive workplaces also embrace accessibility, ensuring that employees with disabilities are supported and accommodated. Accessibility also includes accommodating alternative languages and cultural differences. When everyone is included, a sense of belonging is created. This feeling of belonging fosters a sense of community and cooperation, which enhances the workplace’s effectiveness.

In another episode of Catherine’s Corner, our guest, Rhett Burden, shares the importance of inclusivity in the workplace regardless of gender identity, language, race, and religion. The importance of inclusivity in the workplace cannot be overstated. When organizations embrace and promote inclusivity, they foster a diverse and dynamic workforce that can lead to several significant benefits.

DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – they’ve become a common theme in workplaces. But now, there’s an evolution. Alongside DEI, we’re realizing the significance of other crucial elements for creating a positive work environment – Belonging, Accessibility, and Justice. These are the new additions to the DEI acronym.

Because let’s face it, DEI loses its essence without a strong emphasis on Belonging. It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.

And let’s not forget Accessibility and Justice. They go hand in hand with DEI, and without them, the whole concept loses its impact.

Taking Steps to Create an Inclusive Culture

To achieve inclusivity, organizations must proactively take steps to create an inclusive culture. This involves:

 

1. Implementing DEIABJ Policies

Having those crystal-clear policies that outright promote diversity and inclusivity is like laying the solid groundwork for a workplace that truly embraces everyone. It’s about walking the talk and ensuring that every team member feels valued and respected.

But you know what? It doesn’t stop there. It’s equally important to foster a culture where individuals feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, knowing they belong and have a voice that matters. When we combine those policies with an inclusive culture, that’s when real magic happens, and we see the full potential of a diverse and thriving workforce.

 

2. Provide Training

investing in training programs for both employees and management on things like unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and inclusive communication can do wonders for our workplace. It’s not just about checking off boxes; it’s about fostering genuine understanding and empathy among our team members.

 

3. Creating Diverse Hiring Practices

It’s high time for organizations to really step up their game and make a conscious effort to diversify their talent pool. When you actively promote equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of their background, you open the doors to fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a richer tapestry of skills and experiences.

 

4. Promoting Employee Resource Groups

You know what’s really awesome? Employee Resource Groups! They’re like these fantastic platforms that bring together employees who share common backgrounds or experiences. It’s not just about forming connections; it’s about creating a supportive community where people can lean on each other and make a real impact on organizational initiatives.

 

5. Addressing Negative Behaviors

Ensuring that any form of negative behavior is promptly addressed and dealt with creates a safer environment for all employees.

 

Establish a Shared Language in your Organization

Give your workforce training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) 101 and take the first step towards creating sustainable change in your organization and beyond. This training program will be highly customized for your team’s needs, and you will gain a comprehensive understanding of DEIB terms and their significance, as well as explore the importance of finding your collective “Why” behind fostering diversity and inclusion.

 

Written by: Cleo Tubon

When it comes to DEI, language matters…and it’s constantly evolving. Are you using the right terminology in your organization? Download our DEI Terminology Cheat Sheet and see how you stack up.

 

Catherine

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500’s to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Catherine’s award-winning book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, was hailed by international leadership-guru, Ken Blanchard, as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” Her latest book is Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley).

 

3 Cultural Faux Pas You Might Not Realize You’re Making

Cultural missteps happen to everyone, even the most seasoned leaders and global brands.  Recently, American Eagle launched a campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” The pun on “jeans” was meant to be playful, but it...

HR, Are You Part of the Incivility Problem?

You already know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of workplace “drama.” Complaints about rudeness, tension between team members, and employees quietly disengaging are all part of the daily grind. You know it’s expensive. You know it’s draining for you to...

4 Strategies to Infiltrate Civility Into Your Global Organization

At its core, civility is the foundation of a thriving culture. It shapes how people communicate, lead, resolve tension, and show up, especially when challenges arise. Civility doesn’t look the same everywhere, however. What feels respectful in one culture might come...

Is It Okay To Bully AI?

According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of Americans interact with artificial intelligence (AI) almost constantly or several times a day. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of enterprises will be using generative AI in some form. That means we’re not just...

What Exactly is Civility vs. Incivility?

August is National Civility Month! Civility has recently climbed to the top of search trends, and with SHRM’s #CivilityAtWork initiative, the conversation is gaining real traction. But here’s the question: do you truly understand what civility means in the workplace?...

Is your workforce survey measuring the right things?

Many HR leaders rely on employee surveys to gauge the health of the workplace culture, but not all surveys are created equal. Whether you're using an engagement survey, a Great Place to Work® survey, or another tool, the question is: Are you gathering the right data?...

Conscious Unbossing: Why Gen Z Is Saying “No Thanks” to Leadership Roles

According to DDI’s Global Leadership Forecast 2025, 80% of HR professionals lack confidence in their leadership pipelines. CEOs are just as concerned, ranking “developing the next generation of leaders” among their top four worries. Gen Z is shaking things up. They’re...

The Workplace Culture Model Every Leader Needs to Know

We all want a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued. But building that kind of culture takes more than good intentions and inspirational posters. It demands a clear-eyed look at how people behave, how leaders lead, and how the organization itself either...

From Desperation to Determination: Reflecting on 16 Years of Growth

I just got an email from a spammer offering SEO help for my very old website — www.NoWorkplaceBullies.com. I hadn’t thought about that site in ages, so I typed in the link... and there it was. The original website I built the day I started my business — though it...

Sick of HR getting the blame for bullying? (For Dummies Excerpt)

As I was writing my upcoming book, Navigating a Toxic Workplace For Dummies (Wiley), I was reminded about all the research on workplace bullying that indicates HR gets the blame for bullying, HR is not helpful, and, in fact, according to the research, most often makes...