Fostering Inclusion: How to Value Every Voice in Your Team
Creating an inclusive workspace is more than a goal—it's essential for tapping into the collective brilliance of your team! Every team naturally has a mix of personalities and backgrounds and each person brings a unique perspective that can lead to breakthrough ideas and solutions. Let’s explore some strategies to ensure everyone feels appreciated and heard...
Embracing the Spectrum of Thought
I like to use a simple example that resonates with most people when explaining how different folks articulate their ideas: I talk about Crockpot Thinkers and Microwave Thinkers. Today’s blog was inspired by my good friend and close partner of DJC, Angie Asa-Lovstad, who created the concept. If you haven’t explored her content, be sure to connect with Angie here!
Both forms of thinking are essential to our conversations but have a unique approach. When it comes to team meetings, understanding the dynamic between Crockpot Thinkers and Microwave Thinkers can really help in facilitating a more inclusive and productive environment.
Here's how each type might approach a typical meeting:
Crockpot Thinkers prefer a slow-cook approach to their ideas and contributions. In a meeting, they might not jump in with immediate responses. Instead, they prefer having the agenda well in advance so they can ponder over each topic and come prepared with deeply considered thoughts. They value the time to reflect on the discussion points and often provide insights that have been thoroughly simmered with a rich depth of understanding. When it's their turn to speak, they tend to deliver comprehensive and well-thought-out contributions that reflect their detailed processing style.
Microwave Thinkers thrive in the fast-paced environment of most business meetings. They are quick to process information and can respond on the fly to new data or sudden shifts in discussion. Their ability to quickly articulate ideas makes them invaluable during brainstorming sessions or when rapid decision-making is required. They're great at giving immediate feedback and can generate a plethora of ideas in a short amount of time.
While both styles enrich your discussions, your fast-paced meetings often cater more to your microwave enthusiasts so it's crucial we discuss the importance of finding a balance between the two approaches.
Creating Spaces for Every Voice
Making sure everyone gets a chance to shine involves intentional steps to encourage diverse voices, especially from those who might naturally hang back.
Prep and Plan: When you set up meetings, carve out moments for all types of thinkers. Sending out agenda items in advance can give your crockpot thinkers the simmering time they need. During meetings, pause after each major point, inviting thoughts from everyone—this little breather can make a BIG difference!
Beyond Spoken Words: We know not everyone loves the spotlight. Offering various ways to contribute, like suggestion boxes or online forums, lets your quieter colleagues share their genius on their terms.
Champion Active Listening: Cultivate a team norm of deep listening where everyone is tuned in not just to respond but to truly understand. This means creating moments in conversations to invite input from those who haven’t had a chance to speak up yet.
Foster Respect Daily: Respect should be the heartbeat of your team culture. This means embracing all opinions and thinking styles while watching for subtle cues that someone might be trying to jump into the discussion. Remember, everyone’s input is a gift—no interruptions, just appreciation.
Celebrate Differences: Whether it’s sharing cultural stories or highlighting varied personal successes, these celebrations can deepen your connections and show how much you value each other’s contributions.
The Power of Inclusion
Why focus so much on inclusion? Because it truly makes your teams stronger. When everyone feels their voice matters, they’re more committed, enthusiastic, and ready to give their best. Diverse perspectives not only enrich your decision-making but also spark innovation.
By actively embracing each person’s style and background and creating multiple ways for all to contribute, you’re not just building a team; you’re nurturing a community. Let's keep our hearts open and our ears ready—every meeting, every project, every day is a chance to learn from each other and grow together!
Here's a fun way to dive deeper into what makes each of us tick and how we connect with others: the Lumina Spark Assessment! It’s free, and you can grab your assessment here. Plus, be sure to download the app so you can see how your results compare with the rest of your team!
Keep Rockin',
Dave
