How to Facilitate Inclusive Leadership Training

When we seek to contribute to the growth and transformation of others, we never seek to transform them into anything other than a better version of themselves and in a direction that their natural potential and talents dictate. When we facilitate inclusive leadership training, this is of paramount importance. The process is to unlock and harness the unique leadership characteristics and style of a particular individual in the service of enhanced inclusivity.

Inclusive leadership training must model the best of what an inclusive environment has to offer. Participants in inclusive leadership training need to feel and see what it means to have unconditional acceptance and appreciation of everything they have to share as their authentic selves. 

This is a tall order. It is however very achievable if the inclusive leadership training is facilitated in a way that utilises the tools and skills needed by leaders to support inclusivity development in the workplace. 

Napoleon Bonaparte said it well when he pointed to the fact that “A leader is a dealer in hope”. Inclusive leadership particularly demands this orientation and the training needs to emphasise this. During inclusive leadership training, future possibilities are envisioned. Participants are encouraged to see past the present given constraints in people and situations. What must be the point of focus continually is the opportunity for improvement. 

Show, don’t tell

Because inclusivity demands greater participation, acceptance, belonging, and involvement by all, inclusive leadership training will need to follow this format. Always making the opinions, experiences, perspectives, and views of participants important. Everyone will be respected, valued, and heard as different aspects of inclusivity are debated and discussed. Inclusive leadership helps people to be comfortable being themselves in a safe space. Plus, there is always space for everyone. 

Priorities during training will be to allow participants to be honest and open. They come to know they will be listened to without judgement, eradicating to a large extent any vulnerabilities associated with who and what they are. It is essential that no participants feel disconnected and full engagement is facilitated. 

Ultimately, one of the main outputs of any inclusive leadership training is a sense of empowerment and belonging. Participants don’t have to ask the question “what is inclusive leadership” after effective training because they have experienced it fully through modelled behaviour during the training. 

Opening the way 

Inclusive leadership is not about changing ourselves so that we can change others. During the training, we learn to accept ourselves at a deeper level and risk being our authentic selves as we come to understand that wearing artificial masks and playing prescribed roles do not lead to mature relationships that encompass meaning. 

Even in the workplace, we see the benefits of manifesting our truth and being open to feedback that allows us to consciously develop further. What we achieve for ourselves as leaders during inclusive leadership training, we come to want for others. We want everyone’s individuality to blossom in all its magnificence. 

During inclusive leadership training, we come to experience the wisdom of not trying to control people and situations. We learn the potential inherent in having the courage to trust and be open. Inclusive leadership is successful when everyone moves in the direction of self-leadership with pride and determination to be more of themselves with each passing day. The team is strengthened as we support each other on this incredible journey towards self-actualisation.