As small business leaders, we often focus on providing the best customer experience, but we forget about our employees. Ensuring diversity and inclusivity in our workforce is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do. It fosters creativity, promotes innovation, and creates a welcoming and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive.
In this post, we’ll delve into the importance of inclusive communication and share strategies that can help build a diverse and supportive work environment. We’ll also highlight some small businesses that have successfully implemented inclusive communication strategies.
5 Tips for Inclusive Communication in Small Businesses
1. Foster a Culture of Respect
A culture of respect is essential to build a diverse and supportive work environment. Creating a culture of respect starts by promoting open communication, active listening, and non-judgmental behavior. Show your employees that you value diversity by inviting everyone to share their thoughts and ideas.
If you’re a small business leader and you want to communicate effectively and inclusively with your employees, you should have in mind that diverse and multi-generational workforces have different needs and preferences for communication. Baby boomers might be more inclined to communicate face-to-face, while Millennials and Generation Z employees prefer more digital communication channels. Offering a range of communication methods is essential to ensure everyone feels included and valued.
2. Communicate Clearly and Directly
Clear and direct communication is crucial to build a diverse and supportive work environment. Use language that is inclusive and avoid jargon that may be unfamiliar to some employees. Also, avoid making assumptions. Ask clarifying questions if needed to avoid misunderstandings.
As the leader of your small business, you should establish clear communication practices that everyone can follow. Give clear instructions and guidelines for everything from meeting protocols to email etiquette. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal. If you have employees of different ages, consider having a meeting or a workshop to go over these guidelines.
3. Celebrate Diversity & Use Inclusive Language
Celebrating diversity is a significant part of building a supportive and inclusive work environment. You can organize events and activities that highlight different cultures and traditions. By doing this, your employees can learn about each other’s background and celebrate their uniqueness. It can also help to establish a sense of belonging and inclusion in the workplace.
The language you use in your workplace can have a significant impact on how your team feels about their work environment. Using inclusive language shows that everyone is valued and respected in your workplace, irrespective of their backgrounds. For example, avoid using pronouns that assume gender or making assumptions based on someone’s age. Gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them” or “Ze/Zir” can be used as alternatives.
4. Listen and Learn from Your Employees
Listening and learning from your employees plays a significant role in building a diverse and supportive work environment. Regularly solicit feedback from your employees to determine how well your inclusion efforts are resonating with them. Use feedback to adjust your communication strategies and foster an environment of continuous improvement.
Encourage open communication by creating spaces for dialogues and allowing people to express their ideas freely. You might try to use video conferencing tools or scheduling regular virtual lunches so that your employees can chat and exchange ideas. Implement channels such as suggestion boxes, regular team meetings, and anonymous feedback mechanisms to ensure everyone has a voice.When employees feel heard and understood, they are more likely to become more engaged and productive in their roles.
5. Integrate Best Practices for Inclusive Communication from AIHR
In this article, Inclusive Communication: What Is It and Why It Matters, Catherine Scott goes into more detail about Best Practices small businesses can implement:
Effective communication is the key to ensuring a thriving workplace – one that promotes diversity and inclusion. This type of communication can make all the difference, particularly when people of different ages and backgrounds are collaborating to achieve a common goal.
If you need help or support with incorporating Inclusive Communication, download our Learning Culture ebook or set up a call with Janifer Wheeler, the JOYFull BadAss (link). No need to figure out how to implement it on your own! Janifer, with her background as a teacher, mentor, coach, and curriculum designer, will assist you in creating and executing a customized plan for Inclusive Communication that fits your needs and budget.
Wheelhouse Learning Solutions focuses on helping small and micro businesses develop inclusive learning cultures that drive positive change. We aim to make DEIBA principles accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes. We firmly believe that DEIBA is not merely a trend, but a fundamental requirement for business growth and success in today’s diverse global economy.
I am grateful to be connected with you. I’m committed to building an inclusive and anti-racist business. I support LGBTQIA+ rights and the rights of all intersectional identities.
I believe that business should be a force for dismantling systems of oppression and actively invest in my own learning to fulfill this role.
