Inclusive Leadership: Building Courage and Confidence Through Action

Inclusion isn't just a value—it's a commitment to action. As leaders, our actions to include others, especially during challenging time

s, not only demonstrate the importance of fairness, diversity, and equity but also play a pivotal role in developing our own courage and confidence.

Courage grows when we prioritize doing the right thing for others, navigating complexities, and ensuring all voices are heard and valued. It's about creating spaces where diverse perspectives flourish, where transparency and participation drive decision-making, and where everyone feels empowered to contribute authentically.

Throughout my journey, I've felt the urge to exclude others in order to be expedient, but it rarely leads to sustainable success. Inclusive leadership demands courage—to invite dissenting views, to navigate disagreements respectfully, and to champion transparency even when it's uncomfortable. These actions not only enrich our decision-making processes but also nurture environments where innovation thrives and team cohesion strengthens.

I’m sure we can all think of a time when we experienced exclusion. Whether as a kid on the school field or as an adult- feeling overlooked in crucial discussions, or sensing our voice wasn't fully heard. These experiences likely underscored the importance of creating inclusive cultures where everyone feels respected and valued.

Building courage and confidence as leaders means embracing discomfort, embracing diverse perspectives, and understanding that inclusion isn't just about checking boxes—it's about actively empowering individuals to contribute their best selves. It's about challenging ourselves to seek out viewpoints that differ from our own and recognizing that diversity of thought drives innovation and better outcomes.

Research consistently shows that inclusive workplaces outperform their peers—they foster innovation, enhance decision quality, and increase employee satisfaction and retention.

Here are three actionable steps to advance inclusive leadership:

1. Champion Transparent Communication: Share challenges and decisions openly. Sometimes what I’m most nervous to share creates the most positive impact on trust and team cohesion. 

2. Empower Active Participation: Be boldly inclusive! Consider not only who you want to include (or not) but who should be at the decision-making and strategy development table. 

3. Lean into conflict: Embrace constructive conflict to generate innovative solutions. Check in with individuals to ensure they feel valued and heard, even when decisions are difficult.

Let's continue to cultivate environments where courage and confidence flourish—where inclusive actions drive organizational success and personal growth.