Teamevent
A company that values diversity and inclusion has a strong culture of respect, trust, and empathy—with all three empowering employees to share their ideas and contribute without fear of judgment or reprisal. In addition, this potent combination increases job satisfaction, creativity, and productivity.
Inclusivity is more than just lip service—it’s about the people on your team, and how they interact with each other. Often, people may think that workplace discussions are meant to be work-focused only, and personal aspects should be left out of the equation. In reality, this can foster stale thinking and a lack of innovation.
To get the most out of your Teamevent, consider incorporating more fun and inclusive activities in meetings. These don’t have to be esoteric or complicated—you can start with simple check-ins, such as asking everyone how their weekend was, or asking them to share a highlight from their week. This can be done remotely as well as in person and will help build a sense of connection with all team members, regardless of their location.
How do you ensure inclusivity and participation in a Teamevent?
You could also try a cookie exchange to break down barriers and encourage team members to talk to each other more. You can use a neutral activity, such as baking cookies together, and have team members decorate their creations with icing and other fun toppings that showcase their personality. When team members swap their cookies, they will have a chance to discuss their different styles and preferences with others in the room, and can begin to see that they have much more in common with their co-workers than they initially thought.
Another way to promote inclusivity is to host a virtual event that is focused on issues related to the field in which you operate. For example, Salesforce and Deloitte hosted the racial equality summit “Representation Matters” in 2020. This was a one-week, virtual event that featured diverse speakers and content to bring to life the importance of diverse representation within the technology industry.
Additionally, you can use an online tool to help identify the presence of sexist, racist, or homophobic language within your promotional materials and during event sessions. This will be helpful to educate your speakers and attendees against offensive behavior, while also making it clear that sexist, racist, or homophobic comments will not be tolerated at your events.
In terms of accessibility, it’s essential to have a plan for all types of disabilities, including invisible ones. For example, a group activity that centers around mountain biking can exclude individuals with physical limitations if it’s done in a loud and crowded space that may be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities or hidden disabilities.
In addition, make sure your meeting venues have gender-neutral bathrooms and provide an alternative if you don’t have a wheelchair accessible entrance. Also, if you’re holding a virtual event, consider using features on your video conferencing platform that can add fun and engaging elements to the meeting such as quizzes and whiteboards.