Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to stay competitive and innovative in today’s globalized world. When team leaders proactively engage in activities that promote diversity and inclusion, they help create a more dynamic, understanding, and effective work environment. A diverse workforce brings together individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and talents, which can result in increased creativity, better decision-making, and higher employee satisfaction. Below are 20 actionable steps to help you foster diversity and inclusion effectively within your organization.
1. Conduct Diversity Briefings
Diversity briefings serve as a foundational activity to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Team leaders can arrange monthly meetings to discuss and design various diversity activities, making these sessions an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time effort. These briefings provide an opportunity for employees from different backgrounds to explain what holy days or holidays are important to them, enabling the organization to offer time off accordingly. By doing so, employees feel seen and respected, which strengthens the organizational culture.
This activity serves multiple purposes: it spreads historical and cultural knowledge among colleagues, increases interpersonal understanding, and allows for the design of policies that genuinely reflect the diverse workforce’s needs. It’s a simple yet effective way to encourage respect and empathy within the team, fostering a more inclusive environment with minimal side effects.
2. Diversity and Inclusion with Flower Petals
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in Flower Petals is a creative activity designed to encourage team members to share and celebrate their uniqueness. This activity works best with groups of 4-10 members, and it allows participants to engage their creativity and ideas. Each group receives a large art paper and colorful markers to draw a giant flower, with petals representing each participant.
Each member fills in their petal with something unique about themselves, excluding physical traits such as appearance or ethnicity. The common trait shared by the entire group is written in the flower’s center. After the groups complete their flowers, they share them with each other, discussing the differences and similarities. This activity provides a mental exercise, offering a broad scope for social interaction and helping team members understand each other’s unique qualities better.
3. Create a Snapshot Board
A Snapshot Board can serve as a powerful tool for promoting communication and mutual understanding within a team. The board is filled with photos related to significant personal life events of employees, serving as conversation starters and building connections. Displaying personal mementos in the workplace can break down professional barriers and facilitate deeper interactions among team members.
When employees share their personal experiences through photos, it humanizes the workplace and fosters mutual respect and dignity. Colleagues can gain insights into each other’s lives, which promotes empathy and strengthens relationships. This simple activity helps create a more inclusive and understanding work environment where everyone feels valued.
4. Schedule Happy Hours
Scheduling happy hours with a plan and purpose can serve as a valuable networking opportunity and a chance for employees to get to know each other on a personal level. Unlike casual gatherings, these planned happy hours involve activities that bring people together in meaningful ways. It’s not just about placing drinks on the table; it’s about creating an environment where coworkers can share experiences beyond the usual work-related conversations.
These happy hours can foster a sense of community, helping employees feel more connected to their peers. They provide a conducive atmosphere for open communication, idea sharing, and building relationships, which ultimately contribute to a more inclusive workplace.
5. Post Story-Links
Utilizing internal communication tools to create story-links is an innovative way to foster conversations and connections among employees. Encourage employees to post stories or real-life incidents that describe unique aspects of their identity on the online employee community platform. Others who can relate to these stories add their own experiences, creating a web of inclusiveness.
For example, one employee might share a story about their national origin, prompting others who have visited that country or share similar cultural ties to add their experiences. This narrative chain helps employees find common ground while appreciating their differences, fostering richer interactions and deeper understanding among team members.
6. Organize a Dish-To-Pass Potluck
Celebrating diversity through food is both enjoyable and effective. Organize a Dish-To-Pass Potluck where employees bring dishes from or inspired by their cultural heritage. This activity serves multiple purposes: it offers a chance to try diverse cuisines, serves as an excellent conversation starter, and provides a fun, relaxed setting to share and connect.
From appetizers and main courses to desserts, a potluck brings together the best cuisines across different cultures. More than just a meal, it provides an avenue for employees to share stories related to the dishes they brought, fostering a deeper sense of connection and respect among team members.
7. Host Mini Events
Hosting mini events in common office areas like the cafeteria or lounge can be a great way to represent different cultures and art forms. For instance, organizing a discussion about Juneteenth can educate employees about its historical significance and provide a platform for open conversations about race and diversity.
These small events create opportunities for employees to appreciate diverse backgrounds and cultures, encouraging them to ask questions and share feedback. Such activities contribute to fostering an inclusive workplace by inspiring others to speak up and share their unique perspectives.
8. Follow a Diversity Calendar
Implementing and following a diversity calendar is crucial for acknowledging the rich variety of cultural backgrounds present within the organization. Tracking multicultural holidays and celebrations ensures that all employees feel included and respected, fostering a sense of belonging.
A comprehensive diversity calendar prompts awareness and understanding, providing an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate different traditions. This practice goes a long way in enhancing employee engagement by making everyone feel valued and appreciated for their unique cultural contributions.
9. Initiate a Book Club
Initiating a book club focused on diverse narratives can be a powerful way to encourage understanding and empathy among employees. Books offer a window into the experiences of different people, helping readers to develop a deeper appreciation for various backgrounds and perspectives.
Encourage employees to read books on topics like LGBT inclusion, cultural histories, and personal memoirs. Sharing and discussing these books within the workplace fosters open conversations, helping to break down stereotypes and build a more inclusive environment.
10. Step Apart, Step Together Activity
The Step Apart, Step Together activity visually illustrates both the differences and the commonalities among team members. Pair up team members and have them face each other while the rest of the team calls out traits like birthplace or favorite foods. Participants step apart for each difference and step back together for each similarity.
This exercise highlights that even though people come from diverse backgrounds, there are still many commonalities that bind them together. It’s a simple yet powerful way to foster understanding and appreciation among team members, reinforcing the idea that diversity enhances, rather than divides, the team.
11. Conduct a Privilege Walk
A Privilege Walk is a thought-provoking activity designed to make participants aware of the advantages and disadvantages they may have experienced in life. Arrange participants in a large space and have them stand in a line. Read out statements related to various forms of privilege or disadvantage, instructing participants to step forward or backward as applicable.
After the activity, hold a discussion where participants can share their feelings and thoughts. This open dialogue helps to illuminate disparities and fosters a more inclusive perspective among team members, encouraging empathy and understanding.
12. Collect Money in a Jar
Implementing a money jar for gender-neutral language is a simple yet effective way to promote inclusive communication. When someone uses a gendered term like “guys” inappropriately, they drop money into the jar. This initiative raises awareness about the importance of using inclusive language and can also raise funds for a cause.
By making employees more mindful of their language, this activity helps create a more welcoming and respectful work environment. The collected funds can be used to support diversity-related initiatives, further reinforcing the organization’s commitment to inclusion.
13. Art-Focused Activities
Encouraging employees to collaborate on art projects can serve as a powerful tool for fostering societal conversations about equality and inclusion. Activities like redesigning office walls or personal desks through art can generate visual storytelling that promotes awareness and leadership skills.
Art-focused activities allow employees to express their views on diversity and inclusion, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. These projects can serve as a visible reminder of the organization’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
14. Disability Inclusion Awareness
Raising awareness about disability inclusion is essential for ensuring fair treatment and improving the work environment for all employees. Conduct training and awareness sessions to educate employees on communicating and interacting with disabled colleagues effectively.
Making the workplace more accessible and inclusive not only benefits disabled employees but also enhances the overall work culture. It ensures that everyone feels welcome and valued, promoting a sense of belonging and equality within the organization.
15. I Am… But I Am Not… Exercise
The “I Am… But I Am Not…” exercise is designed to dispel stereotypes and help team members get to know each other better. Participants create two-column statements that break down common misconceptions, such as, “I am Iranian, but I am not a terrorist.”
Sharing these statements can be uncomfortable at times, but it plays a crucial role in clearing misunderstandings and building a more inclusive environment. This activity encourages open dialogue and helps team members see beyond stereotypes, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for each other.
16. Word Association Clouds
Word Association Clouds is an engaging activity that highlights the diversity of ideas within a team. Have participants fill out a questionnaire with words associated with various themes, such as food, clothing, or family, and then enter the responses into a word cloud generator.
Words that are mentioned more frequently will appear in larger font sizes, visually representing the commonalities and differences within the group. Sharing the resulting word cloud with participants fosters a deeper understanding of the team’s diverse perspectives, promoting inclusion and mutual respect.
17. Pair and Share Activity
The Pair and Share activity is particularly effective for remote teams. Use Zoom’s breakout room feature to pair team members, challenging them to find 1-4 things they have in common and 1-4 things that are different.
This exercise helps build connections and common ground among remote employees, fostering a sense of unity despite physical distance. It encourages open communication and mutual respect, contributing to a more inclusive virtual work environment.
18. Invite Expert Guest Speakers
Inviting expert guest speakers to talk on diversity-related topics can provide valuable insights and foster greater understanding within the team. These speakers are often well-versed in their subjects and can offer educational and inspiring talks.
Employees benefit from the opportunity to ask questions and gain clear answers, enriching their knowledge and perspectives. Sharing these sessions within the team promotes a culture of learning and inclusivity, aligning the organization’s efforts with broader societal goals.
19. Share Daily Quotes
Share daily quotes from diverse leaders and thinkers to inspire and educate your workforce. These quotes can serve as a constant reminder of the values the organization holds dear and encourages reflection on diversity and inclusion topics.
Displaying these quotes in common areas or incorporating them into email communications emphasizes the commitment to creating an inclusive environment. This habit promotes ongoing dialogue about diversity and inclusion, reinforcing the organization’s values.
20. Set Clear Diversity Goals
Establishing and communicating clear diversity goals within the organization is essential for meaningful progress. Outline specific, measurable objectives and regularly track the organization’s performance against these goals.
Make these goals a part of the organization’s broader strategic plan and ensure that progress is shared transparently with all stakeholders. By setting clear diversity goals, the organization demonstrates its commitment to fostering an inclusive culture and drives accountability at all levels.
