Testing and Assessing Inclusive Leadership Skills

A True Source of Competitiveness: Inclusive Leadership

Inclusive Leadership is more than just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental approach that recognizes the value of different perspectives and experiences within a team. Leaders prioritizing inclusivity create an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique insights. This enhances team dynamics and drives creativity and innovation, leading to better problem-solving and decision-making.

This leadership approach is characterized by several key traits, including empathy, openness to different viewpoints, and a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among team members.

Inclusive leaders encourage collaboration and ensure that every employee feels they have a stake in the organization’s success, leading to enhanced team performance and innovation. By prioritizing inclusivity, leaders improve employee engagement and drive better business outcomes, as diverse teams are known to make more informed and effective decisions.

Assessment of Inclusive Leadership Skills

Organizations today increasingly recognize the importance of inclusive leadership as a catalyst for fostering a diverse and engaging workplace. However, many have faced challenges in effectively evaluating their leaders’ inclusive capabilities. There has been a consistent demand for a robust tool that comprehensively overviews an organization’s inclusivity levels.

With the introduction of FLIGBY’s Inclusive Leadership Assessment, organizations can gain critical insights into their leadership practices. This assessment is designed to identify strengths and pinpoint specific areas for further development, empowering leaders to take actionable steps towards enhancing inclusivity within their teams.

The Inclusive Leadership Assessment was developed with “Humanis your HR Partner PC.” Their deep expertise in diversity and inclusion has helped ensure the assessment is relevant and impactful for leaders looking to drive positive change in their organizations.

Factors That Have Real Influence

In pursuing effective Inclusive Leadership, understanding the underlying competencies that drive inclusive behavior is crucial. Humanis, a globally recognized expert in diversity and inclusion, has identified five complex competencies essential for characterizing inclusive leadership behavior. These competencies form the backbone of the Inclusive Leadership Assessment and serve as a framework for evaluating leaders’ capabilities.

1. Emotional Intelligence – The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as empathize with the feelings of others.
2. Communication – This encompasses clear articulation of ideas, active listening, and openness to feedback, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued within the team.
3. Perseverance – Leaders must demonstrate resilience in overcoming obstacles. Perseverance fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
4. Collaboration – Working together towards common goals, where team members feel safe to share their perspectives and ideas.
5. Openness – This involves being receptive to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and constructive criticism, thereby creating a culture where innovation can thrive.

During the assessment development process, these competencies were expressed through various combinations of the fundamental leadership skills defined by FLIGBY. This integration ensures that the assessment evaluates inclusive leadership behaviors and aligns with proven leadership principles, providing a comprehensive view of a leader’s capabilities.

Psychological Safety

Another unique feature of the Inclusive Leadership Assessment is its focus on Psychological Safety, a crucial element for fostering inclusive environments. Psychological safety refers to the belief that one will not be penalized or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. It is foundational for promoting open dialogue and collaboration within teams.

The Inclusive Leadership Report goes beyond traditional assessments by providing participants with feedback on the extent of Psychological Safety they create during their gameplay. This feedback is calculated using flow-related Key Performance Indicators defined by the renowned psychologist Prof. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

A Strategic Advantage

The Inclusive Leadership Assessment offers a structured approach to evaluating existing capabilities while providing valuable insights to inform future development. Here are some key benefits of utilizing this assessment tool:

1. Enhanced Employee Engagement – Organizations can significantly boost employee engagement by fostering an inclusive culture. When team members feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to their work. FLIGBY’s Inclusive Leadership Assessment helps leaders understand their inclusivity strengths and areas for improvement, paving the way for higher engagement levels.
2. Improved Performance and Productivity – Inclusive leadership directly correlates with improved organizational performance. Teams that collaborate across diverse backgrounds tend to generate more ideas and solutions. The Inclusive Leadership Assessment enables leaders to measure the impact of inclusive practices on team performance, helping organizations refine their strategies for maximum productivity.
3. Attracting and Retaining Top Talent – Organizations prioritizing inclusivity are more attractive to potential employees in a competitive job market. Talent today seeks workplaces that value diversity and provide equal growth opportunities. By utilizing FLIGBY’s Inclusive Leadership Assessment, companies can enhance their employer branding and retain high-performing talent.
4. Fostering Innovation – Diversity of thought is a critical driver of innovation. Inclusive leaders encourage open dialogue and collaboration among team members, leading to the generation of fresh ideas and creative solutions. The FLIGBY Assessment equips leaders with the insights necessary to cultivate an environment where innovation thrives.
5. Building a Positive Reputation – Companies that champion inclusivity improve internal culture and enhance their reputation externally. Stakeholders, customers, and clients are increasingly drawn to organizations committed to inclusion. FLIGBY’s new add-on helps leaders align their actions with their company’s values, reinforcing a positive brand image.