Inclusive Leadership

What is inclusive leadership?

Inclusive leadership refers to the capabilities (i.e. mindsets, knowledge, skills and behaviours) that ensure a diversity of employees feel included and that their perspectives improve an organisation’s strategy, work, and values for success. 

An inclusive leader is a people leader who creates an inclusive environment by:  

  • valuing differences  
  • seeking out a diversity of ideas 
  • treating everyone equitably 
  • dealing with inappropriate behaviour.  

[Source: Building Inclusion: An evidence-based model of inclusive leadership, DCA]. 

DCA’s Inclusive Leadership model 

DCA’s model of inclusive leadership provides a framework based on the following five inclusive leadership capabilities necessary for a person to be an inclusive leader. 

  1. IDENTITY-AWARE
    Believes identity diversity can significantly improve organisational performance and so learns about their own and others’ identities (e.g. age, cultural background, gender).
     
  2. RELATIONAL
    Creates teams and networks in which a diversity of people feel they are connected, valued and respected.
     
  3. OPEN & CURIOUS
    Is curious about
    , and open to, new and different perspectives from a diversity of people. 
  4. FLEXIBLE & RESPONSIVE
    Is flexible about, and responsive to, the perspectives and experiences of a diversity of people.
     
  5. GROWTH-FOCUSED
    Challenges accepted practices and incorporates different perspectives into how business is done. Actively works to create an organisation in which diversity and inclusion are at the centre of the culture.
     
Pyramid diagram with 5 levels labeled GROWTH FOCUSED, FLEXIBLE, OPEN, RELATIONAL and IDENTITY AWARE, illustrating inclusive leadership mindsets.

The framework and associated knowledge, skills and behaviours required are set out in DCA’s report, Building Inclusion: An evidence-based model of inclusive leadership. 

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