Frontline workers are among the most valuable employees in an organization. They represent the public face of the company in industries ranging from healthcare to food service and make important contributions to the economy, yet they are often overlooked and undervalued.
Inclusive leadership plays an essential role in extending the culture of inclusivity across the entire organization, ensuring that the collective effort of every leader and team member champions inclusive leadership as a foundational principle.
Leaders must create an inclusive workplace by not only implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that promote diversity but also being open and transparent in communicating those programs down to the frontline.
The goal is to foster an inclusive culture within inclusive organizations where every employee feels valued and included. Besides, developing an inclusive mindset leads to improved collaboration and performance.
This approach, known as inclusive leadership, with its adaptable leadership style, is essential to create an inclusive culture. Want to be one of the inclusive leaders who support the organizational culture through their self-awareness and understanding of their biases? Follow these tips to become a more inclusive leader.
Value Diverse Perspectives
In McKinsey & Company’s recent report, Race in the workplace: The frontline experience, “frontline workers are 20% less likely than corporate employees to believe that DEI policies are effective. In addition, 45% of hourly employees don’t believe their company encourages them to take advantage of work-life policies without jeopardizing their employment or career advancement.”
These numbers underscore a critical point: inclusive leadership matters for the effectiveness of DEI policies. The commitment and quality of leadership play a crucial role in ensuring these policies translate into meaningful action and positive perceptions among employees.
This is especially significant in addressing the concerns of frontline workers, who are crucial to customer interactions and the overall success of the business. For business leaders, this means that efforts must be made to improve job quality and offer greater support for frontline workers so that they can progress in their careers and enjoy a more equitable culture.
Emphasizing inclusive leadership can lead to happier employees, enhanced collaboration, and positive customer outcomes, aligning with the expectations of a diverse workforce, including the millennial generation.
Foster Open Communication
But how do you not only create a more inclusive workplace but also demonstrate that you are committed to it beyond just outward appearances?
According to Deloitte’s recent survey, Leading at the front(line): Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion imperatives, which surveyed over 3,000 frontline workers in the United States between April 6 and 21, 2022, “only 38% of frontline workers believe DEI initiatives are truly focused on creating a better workplace for all and that their companies lack proper mentorship.”
The first step in building trust that you are nurturing a more inclusive workplace and dedicated to the advancement of your frontline workers is thoughtful and effective communication through an inclusive leadership approach.
Leaders should actively seek to engage with frontline workers to understand their needs and perspectives, ensuring that communication is not just top-down but a genuine two-way channel. This approach demonstrates a commitment to valuing and considering different perspectives, which is essential in fostering an inclusive work culture.
Using an employee-centric app that reaches them directly is critical to create those connections, demonstrating that you value what they bring to your organization, and striving to serve them as fully as you do.
Opening up a direct dialogue with these workers sends a clear message that they are included, highlighting the importance of an inclusive leadership approach in ensuring all team members feel heard and valued.
Commit to Ongoing Training and Inclusive Practices Through Mentorship
The McKinsey report goes on to say, “It’s a myth that high rates of turnover are just the way it goes on the frontline. By creating clear paths for advancement, companies can improve the workplace environment to make the worker experience more positive and sustainable.”
Implementing an employee-facing platform for disseminating key information about how you are going to foster a more inclusive workplace is a vital first step in spotlighting your commitment to addressing their specific needs –and concerns– but it’s only through ongoing training, mentorship, and communication that you will reinforce to your frontline workers that they matter, that they are important, and that there is room to grow within your organization.
By focusing on the development of diverse teams through these efforts, the goal is to create teams that are not only diverse but also highly effective in their collaboration and decision-making.
The outcome of effective mentorship and training programs is the creation of inclusive teams, fostering an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered.
The adage “practice what you preach” applies here and will result in improved morale, higher rates of employee retention, increased productivity, and better customer experiences. Your frontline workers are the lifeblood of your company. It’s your company leaders’ job to make sure they know that.
Foster inclusive leadership with Speakap
Inclusive leadership is crucial to ensure frontline workers feel valued within any organization. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies effectively to promote a truly inclusive workplace culture.
These approaches aim to improve collaboration, employee morale, and career progression opportunities, ultimately enhancing overall business performance and customer experiences.
Becoming an inclusive leader requires dedication, understanding, and the right tools. Speakap provides an essential platform to help leaders connect with their teams effectively, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
By integrating Speakap into your leadership strategy, you can ensure that your DEI efforts are genuinely impactful. Book a free demo now to build a more inclusive environment and show your frontline workers that they are an integral part of your organization's success.