SUCCESS

acknowledged the need to develop intercultural leadership capabilities within their organizations. It will also involve identifying an internal executive sponsor and team members who can collaborate on this initiative.

This group can examine the underlying assumptions, behaviors, rules, policies, and structures that shape the work environment. It can do this by reviewing current company data, KPIs, surveys, and auditing the organization’s systems, policies, processes, and even the vendors it works with to ensure that inclusivity is practiced, not just preached.

Here are some common “unwritten” norms of leadership exclusion that may exist in your workplace:

• Perfectionism: The belief that if you make a mistake, you are the mistake.

• Either/Or Thinking: Viewing situations as binary, without room for nuance.

• Sense of Urgency: Prioritizing quick wins over intentional and inclusive decision-making.

• Defensiveness: Resisting new ideas and clinging to the status quo.

• Power Hoarding/Scarcity: Leaders feeling threatened by change and holding onto power, knowledge, and feedback.

• Fear of Open Conflict: Avoiding necessary conversations to maintain a facade of politeness.

• Individualism: Valuing competition over collaboration.

• Objectivity: Believing that emotions have no place in the workplace.

Creating A Path To Culture Shift

Secondarily, it’s time to envision and clarify the culture you want to create. As a framework, leaders could embody the following characteristics to transform their workplace culture:

• Appreciation: Valuing colleagues’ contributions while separating those contributions from any mistakes they may have made.

• Intentionality: Centering people and developing trust and thoughtful decision-making.

• Listening to Understand: Engaging in active listening, not just responding.

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Considering diverse communication styles to foster understanding.

• Trust: Ensuring transparency in decision-making processes and each person’s role.

• Both/And Thinking: Encouraging the development of multiple alternatives rather than binary solutions.

• Power Sharing: Localizing decision-making to those with relevant expertise.

• Sonder: Recognizing that everyone has a complex and vivid life experience.

• Psychological Safety: Prioritizing the feelings and safety of those with the least power over the comfort of those with the most power.

Moving Forward Together

To move forward, we must challenge the old ways of doing things. Transformation is not easy, and it requires a collective effort. By embracing the principles of belonging and intercultural leadership, we can dismantle the harmful aspects of the status quo and build more equitable and inclusive workplaces. This is your invitation to be part of this transformation. Together, we can create workplaces where belonging is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.

Let’s imagine a future where everyone belongs—and then, let’s make it happen.

About the author:

Kristine is an inclusive leader, coach, and speaker who helps organizations foster sustainable success by leveraging the power of cultural dimensions. She has delivered dynamic webinars and spoken at national and international conferences, earning recognition for her expertise and insights. If you’d like to partner on a cultural initiative or bring a transformative event to your local professional association or team, contact her at coachkristineberry@gmail.com or online at https://www.linkedin. com/in/kristine-a-berry/

For You, About You, By You!

DeW Life Magazine is both a digital and a print publication devoted to highlighting and empowering all women in dentistry. Our goal is to inspire women to connect and move each other forward lifting one another up to heights we only dreamed possible. We are delighted to receive general submissions from you, women in dentistry. What is your story? How can you inspire us? What are some of your ‘top of mind’ questions or comments about the dental profession? Is there a topic you would like to explore that could be introduced on our website as a blog or as a feature in our print edition? We want to hear from you and share your narratives.

How can you contribute to Dental entrepreneur Woman? Just DeW it.

Please send photographs and narratives to: