Building Inclusion: An Evidence-Based Model of Inclusive Leadership

Diversity Council Australia’s Inclusive Leadership Model proposes that there are five capabilities necessary for a person to be an effective inclusive leader. Inclusive leadership refers to capabilities such as mindsets, knowledge, skills, and behaviours that leaders possess and that make their organizations inclusive.

1. Building an Identity-Awareness Mindset: Reflect on your own identity and think about what advantages or disadvantages you might experience as a result.
2. Building a Relational Mindset: Reflect on your ability to communicate effectively across different social and workplace identities and practice, etc.
3. Building an Open and Curious Mindset: Ensure that across your whole organization, work activities, meeting times, and work-related social activities are scheduled so participation is maximized, etc.
4. Building a Flexible and Agile Mindset: Assess whether your organization has mainstreamed flexible working (e.g. make flexible work standard business practice), etc.
5. Building a Growth-focused Mindset: Investigate the extent to which team members from all backgrounds/experience/job levels/business areas/functions can contribute to decision making, etc.