BUS603: Managing People

Inclusive leadership is about including everyone. This leadership style puts a particular focus on "having the courage to take conscious steps to break down barriers for people at risk of being excluded from society". African refugee/immigrant women are among the groups that are at risk of exclusion in top leadership, groups that represent different backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. The inclusive leadership approach appreciates diversity and the contributions of everyone. Furthermore, this leadership approach encourages full engagement in all aspects of organizational functioning. The objective the authors added, is "to create change and innovate whilst balancing everybody's needs". Essentially, inclusive leadership is centered around relationships and valuing differences.

Feelings of exclusion are common in my leadership journey and for many other women, people of color, immigrants, and refugees. I struggle to fit in and, when unsuccessful at that, I feel cut off from full involvement as a result. According to Bortini et al., "one of the primary needs of individuals at risk of exclusion is to be accepted as they are and not to be regarded as an equal, able to contribute with all of their abilities". Immigrants and refugees can face additional barriers to inclusion, including cultural (language, social life, religious) differences. Structural and socio-economic barriers are also contributing factors to exclusion practices. Feeling left out can be exacerbated by a hostile environment in leadership.

Inclusive leadership is necessary for all sectors of society and for all individuals, particularly those in top management. Inclusive leadership challenges and empowers people because it is based on everyone's inherent worth, on human rights, on awareness of interconnectedness, on the recognition that power influences inclusion efforts, and on shared responsibilities.