Make the process of change enormously easier, with this simple idea

The second obstacle to change I mentioned in my April 24 post is Exclusion. Today we are going to see how the simple idea of inclusion changes everything.

I believe one of the reasons so many change efforts are failing is because we are trying to make 21th century changes with a 20th century mindset. We are in a different era of Globalization, where the Internet is a way of life. Consider some of the new ways:

• Organizational boundaries no longer end inside the four walls.
• Leadership is not the right or responsibility of a person or group alone.
• Hierarchy and rank do not reign supreme. They are consider to block innovation, creativity and contribution.
• Individual and/or heroic efforts are insufficient for sustained success.
• Differences in people create opportunities for creativity and innovation.
• Young people bring new sets of skills and mindsets for the future.
• The Internet and Web 2.0 are significantly changing our interactions and relationships.

These are just some examples that explain why 20th Century mindsets won’t work in designing 21st Century change.

Inclusion: a phenomenal 21th century strategy

Inclusion is a recent strategic approach focused on making the growing diversity of the workplace function better. It’s about empowerment, engagement, and respect. It is valuing the view points, beliefs, and practices of others.

Inclusion should not be confused with diversity. Andre Tapei, Chief Diversity Officer at Hewitt suggests, “Diversity is about the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.”

Inclusion is utilizing the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities, and ways of thinking of the people throughout the organization. It is embracing differences of thought to find a win-win way of getting to consensus for the benefit of all. It includes those impacted by the decisions in the dialogue that will shape their future.

An organization that develop a more inclusive mindset will hear and value everyone’s voice. Team members, new or old, can speak frankly with others no matter what their rank or tenure. Meetings include representation from everybody affected by the decisions. Consensus is the preferred way to make decisions and set goals, with ample participation from everyone.

When leaders shift their mindsets from exclusion to including the right people at the right time in the right decisions, change becomes easier. Welcoming input from more people at more levels, inviting differences in perspective, enables people to engage more fully. It also accelerates change.

In my next post I will share 7 Specific behaviors that foster inclusion.

What do you think?

What are the mindsets that drive your change efforts? What has helped you conquer any of them? Share your comments with us.

Photo by: gareth1953.