Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace with Kelly McDonald [Video]

“The best teams and the best leaders are the ones who will say: please tell me more about that.”

What is inclusion? How do we practice it in organizational life? In this episode, I talk with Kelly McDonald, a speaker and author on the topic with an extensive background researching consumer trends and changing demographics.

We discuss how to create an inclusive workplace with practical strategies like acknowledging discomfort, understanding different perspectives, and overcoming unconscious biases. While we often talk about diversity and inclusion, Kelly insists that many leaders aren’t comfortable having the conversations that will produce deeper understanding and genuine inclusion. She shares practical tips to help leaders stop shying away from difficult conversations for fear of “saying the wrong thing”, and instead learn to ask questions and listen with curiosity and respect.

Kelly highlights the importance of respect and listening fully to the experiences shared by diverse groups to foster real communication and inclusion. We discuss how to lead diverse teams effectively by tapping into different backgrounds and viewpoints to drive innovation, business success, and a more collaborative culture.

In this episode:
What it means to create an inclusive workplace.
The importance of respect and listening.
How to lead diverse teams effectively.