The Power of Inclusive Leadership: Building Teams That Thrive

04.09.25

The Power of Inclusive Leadership: Building Teams That Thrive

By Whitney Harvey, Senior Director of Workforce Solutions, Minnesota Chamber Foundation; and Chamber staff

Whitney Harvey speaks to attendees at the Inclusion Insights session on March 12.

Whitney Harvey (Minnesota Chamber Foundation) speaks to attendees at the Inclusion Insights session on March 12.

Inclusive leadership is essential for building teams that thrive. At The Chamber's recent Inclusion Insights: How to Operationalize Inclusion Solutions event, Whitney Harvey, Senior Director of Workforce Solutions at the Minnesota Chamber Foundation, shared valuable insights on how strong leadership fosters an environment where every team member feels valued, heard and empowered to contribute.

Inclusive leadership goes beyond traditional management by actively creating a workplace culture that celebrates and embraces diverse perspectives and ensures equitable opportunities. Keep reading to discover how you can help your business build a sustainable inclusion strategy and cultivate high-performing teams.

Foster Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is the foundation of an inclusive workplace. Leaders must be held accountable for creating an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, asking questions and challenging the status quo.

Strategies include:

Encouraging open dialogue and active listening.
Acknowledging and addressing biases in decision-making.
Supporting employees who take risks and share innovative ideas.
Providing equitable opportunities to engage and offer solutions

Lead with Empathy and Awareness

Inclusive leadership requires understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds and lived experiences of team members.

This requires:

Active listening to understand different perspectives.
Educating themselves on cultural competencies and intersectionality.
Being mindful of language, traditions and accommodations that may impact team members’ experiences.

Promote Equitable Opportunities

Equity goes beyond equality—rather than giving each employee the same thing, it ensures that everyone has the resources and support needed for them to individually succeed. Inclusive leadership involves:

Assessing and addressing barriers in hiring, promotions and leadership development.
Implementing mentorship and sponsorship programs for employees with barriers.
Advocating for policies that promote work-life balance and accessibility.

Hold Yourself and Others Accountable

True inclusion requires action and accountability. Inclusive leadership means:

Setting measurable inclusion goals and tracking progress.
Seeking feedback from employees and acting on concerns.
Addressing exclusionary behaviors and ensuring all voices are represented in decision-making.

Champion Inclusion as a Business Imperative

Inclusion isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a business imperative. Inclusive leadership helps diverse teams:

Drive innovation by bringing varied perspectives to problem-solving.
Improve employee engagement and retention.
Strengthen employer branding and attract top talent.

Inclusive leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about continuous growth and commitment to fostering a workplace where all employees thrive. By prioritizing psychological safety, empathy, equity, accountability and business-driven inclusion, leaders can cultivate stronger teams, drive meaningful change and create lasting impact.

Champion Inclusion as a Business Imperative

The Chamber is committed to helping you grow as an inclusive leader.

We recently hosted The Pulse of DEI, where we explored the current state of DEI, what’s working and what’s not—read the key takeaways here.

This month, The Chamber is also hosting a free virtual series beginning April 30:
Discuss, Connect, Reflect: Supporting and Engaging Veterans in the Workforce, a 60-minute lunch and learn will equip you with practical tools and insights to better support and retain Veteran talent in your organization.

May 6, you have the chance to dive deeper into the issues shaping our region’s workforce and business climate at The Pulse. We will explore The Pulse of Crime: Safety, Perception and Business Impact and bring together local law enforcement leaders for a robust discussion on the state of safety and crime in our region.

Register today and take the next step toward fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

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