These Are The Three Norms For A Truly Inclusive Team

A new study from Catalyst shows how critical diversity and inclusion will be for company engagement and innovation. 

The Three Inclusive Team Norms That Drive Success study of 4,300 employees shows that there are three factors that boost team success: the promotion of difference, fostering a team coaching climate, and organizing equitable team decision-making processes. 

According to Catalyst’s researchers Sheila Brassel, PhD; Tara Van Bommel, PhD; and Kathrina Robotham, PhD, these elements have a direct impact on an organization’s problem-solving abilities, community, and the overall employee experience. 

“Right now we have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine workplaces to be more inclusive for people of all genders and racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. A critical component of these workplaces of the future lies in the way teams operate—not just how leaders and managers work, but how everyone on the team works together by exhibiting the three inclusive team norms our study highlights,” said Dr. Brassel.  

In order to meet these three norms, the study suggests that companies start with boosting expressions of difference in the workplace and allowing employees to provide diverse perspectives that may go against the grain of the status quo. 

For companies to cultivate a team coaching culture, leaders should acknowledge previous mistakes that have hindered growth and encourage the expression of characteristics that make each team member unique.  

To codify fair team-decision making, businesses should focus on setting clear expectations and goals, being transparent, and always prioritizing strategies that promote equity.  

The study also adds that companies looking to make a truly inclusive work environment should embrace remote working, allowing employees to work asynchronously and instill trust that workers can achieve the company’s goals.