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Bracing conditions
Colleagues always take the same seat.
Ideas are credited to their originators, not the loudest voice.
Embracing challenge in meetings as a good thing.
If seating is fixed, so are mindsets. Encourage people to move around the room in regular meetings to mix things up and prompt new conversations.
Giving credit fairly for ideas in meetings is a simple micro-behaviour that will make people feel included and promote a sense of equality within the team.
Sheltered seating Frosty exchanges Colleagues don’t listen to one another. Can lead to poor outcomes, strained working relationships and repeat meetings to pick up on missed information. Clear agendas and good meeting management are essential.
Ego blizzard Meetings are dominated by one person.
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With a dominant person, often a leader, meetings can quickly become monologues – enough to make even the hardiest colleague shiver. This requires intervention from senior leaders.
Freeze out Key staff are not invited. Can prompt insecurity in staff members and also lead to ineffective meetings. Reviewing the invite list and keeping the right people in the know will help.
Ice Age No meetings. Meetings can be overused, but they remain an essential communication channel. No meetings means there’s a good chance people feel left out, poorly informed, and not included.
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Exploring the alternative POV can move a stagnant meeting forward. Try nominating a colleague to play Devil’s Advocate to prompt discussions from a different angle.
Sunny spells Interruptions are managed positively. Interruptions happen, but you can keep the mood upbeat by acknowledging the interrupter, then returning to the original speaker. Phrases like “Jo, would you finish your thought?” can help.
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The inclusion barometer What your meetings tell you about how inclusive your company is Want to get a broad sense of how inclusive an organisation is? Have a look at meeting culture: How are employees treated? How do leaders encourage inclusion? Where do your meetings sit on the scale?
Bright and breezy Everyone is involved in meetings. Encouraging discussion and prompting everyone in the team to contribute will boost inclusion and might also lead to fresh ideas and perspectives being aired.
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Remote and flexible workers are welcomed and included. Involving remote and flexible workers by scheduling meetings at convenient times, providing the means to dial in and acknowledging them during the call can support the individual and boost team cohesion.
Blue skies Meeting materials are sent out well in advance. Providing access to relevant material ahead of time helps everyone, but in particular allows more introverted team members and those with learning differences to feel prepared.
Fine Regular, effective meetings. Well-run, regular meetings keep everyone informed, generate ideas and discussion and can contribute to a culture of inclusion and show a company’s commitment to diverse thinking.
