Have you heard of the Delusion of inclusion?

It’s the term* describing self-perception trap related to majority of leaders.

It turns out that 2/3 of leaders' estimates of their own inclusion efforts are inaccurate.

The research* involving 3,500 ratings by employees of 450 leaders, found leaders often inaccurately estimate, how inclusive they really are:

🔹32% overrated their capabilities

🔹33% underrated their capabilities

The study showed also that leaders couldn't identify which specific behaviors actually have an impact on being rated as more or less inclusive.

Organizations place a lot of expectations on leaders when it comes to DEI, because the direct relationship between employee-manager is most significant factor in an employee’s wellbeing.

How to support leaders on that journey then?

🔹 Invest in all leaders

Provide inclusion training for leaders at all levels, not just those in top positions.

🔹Train for inclusive competencies and behaviors:

One can’t become an inclusive leader not knowing what it actually means in daily actions.

🔹Increase self-awareness:

Self-perception about inclusion is inaccurate and can lead to many challenges and that’s why it should be addressed first.

Encourage self-assessment via different tools and direct feedback from the employees on demonstrated inclusive behaviours

What is being done to support leaders in organizations that you’re working at/with?

*Sources:

*Dr Rachel Cubas-Wilkinson: "The Inclusion Delusion: Why leaders aren’t as inclusive as they think?"

Juliet Bourke and  Andrea Titus: "Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations, and How to Become One?"