Inclusion for introverts

“The bias against introversion leads to a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness.”
Susan Cain

The need for a more just and inclusive world will no doubt be one of 2020’s most defining legacies.

We recently hosted 3 workshops (plus a 4th one scheduled this week) and a public webinar on how to be a more inclusive leader. Those events have resonated with participants, many of whom are working within their own organizations to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion.

One of the takeaways from the webinar is a compilation of 13 actions & behaviors you can take or do now to help create a more inclusive world, featuring content from Brent Snow’s experiential learning program in use worldwide, The Inclusive Leader: Maximizing the Mix.

In it, he reminds us to go beyond typical demographics of ethnicity, gender, age, or race to remember the business world is an extroverted world. Find ways to get the best out of the introverts on your team, and don’t mistake their quiet style for a lack of ideas or abilities.

Consider reading the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Here’s an excerpt:

“If you’re a manager, remember that one third to one half of your workforce is probably introverted, whether they appear that way or not. Think twice about how you design your organization’s office space. Don’t expect introverts to get jazzed up about open office plans or, for that matter, lunchtime birthday parties or team-building retreats. Make the most of introverts’ strengths—these are the people who can help you think deeply, strategize, solve complex problems, and spot canaries in your coal mine.”

Need some more ideas? We asked participants, “What is one way to be more inclusive?”  Here’s what they said.

P.S. Our 2020 webinar series concludes THIS Thursday with Kelly Dozois on how you can tap into the power of storytelling to create positive change in 2021. Register now!

One Great Thing – Susan Cain’s TED Talk: The Power of Introverts

More great things…