Tools for Creating Inclusive Cultures

Inheritance Project's Top 6 Tools for Creating Cultures of Belonging.

Think of this as the owner’s manual - a how-to guide for creating powerful shifts in your team or community.

Tools

Adopting these tools is like learning a new instrument. They might feel silly or clunky at first, but with practice and repetition you will be able to fully integrate them, and create harmony within your team.

1. Agreements

WHEN TO USE

Any time you have a meeting with three people or more.

HOW IT WORKS

When creating agreements, consider the goals and objectives of your meeting. What types of behavior and contributions from participants will help you achieve your objectives most efficiently and effectively?

When introducing agreements, make sure to: 

• 1. Share the objectives of the meeting 

  2. Share your proposed agreements with the group and explain why they are important to achieve your objectives 

  3. Confirm everyone understand the agreements

  4. Optionally, you may invite the group to contribute additional agreements that will support your objectives 

  5. Close by asking everyone to consent to the agreements and hold each other accountable

The content of your agreements may change depending on the goals of the meeting you are hosting e.g., agreements for a brainstorming session might encourage generative and expansive thinking, while agreements for a budget review might encourage prioritization and efficiency.

EXAMPLE AGREEMENTS: UNPACK YOUR INHERITANCE WORKSHOP

1. Embrace your growth edge

2. One speaker, one mic, one conversation

3. Turn assumptions into questions

4. Use “I” statements

5. What’s shared here stays here, what’s learned here leaves here

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3. Defining Terms

WHEN TO USE 

Any time you are….

• Convening a group for the first time

• Onboarding new members to your team 

• Kicking off a new project 

• Introducing a new concept, term or idea

Defining Terms ensures everyone on your team is speaking the same language. When you take the time to define terms upfront, your team will work much more efficiently together. You will save time on misunderstanding and avoid unnecessary conflict arising from miscommunication.

HOW IT WORKS

Show the term you want to align on  

1. Ask the group how they would define the term and surface different understandings of the term

2. Share your definition of the term - you may adjust your definition based on what the group shares, if necessary

3. Explain why you are using this particular definition for the purposes of the group 

4. Ask the group to consent to using this term in this way for the duration of your time working together

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4. Body Language

WHEN TO USE

Any time you...

• lead or participate in a virtual meeting

• want to encourage honest sharing

• want to create a warm environment.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Explain the purpose of Body Language e.g., using encouraging body language creates more connectivity, psychological safety and helps people feel appreciated and acknowledged
   

2. Introduce options for Body Language. Demonstrate the gestures and have everyone mirror you:
   
   a) I feel you
   
   b) Me too
   
   c) Applause, snaps, etc.
   

3. Model Body Language during the meeting.
   

Remember:

• Don't expect everyone to pick this up right away

• Culture change takes time and repetition is key

• Modeling new behaviors is what makes you a leader.

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When to use

Any time you…

• want to generate new and divergent thinking on a topic

• are looking to invite reflection and insight underneath the surface

• want to invite creative thinking and new perspectives from on a problem or obstacle

how it works

1. Choose a well thought out prompt(s)

2. Clearly explain the purpose of the exercise to the group

3. Give a time frame for the writing (i.e. 5-10 minutes). Be sure to provide a reminder as the exercise is coming to a close

4. Provide 3 minutes following the writing exercise for people to review their writing and highlight key takeaways. This is important for people to process their raw thoughts

5. Invite each person to share x number of highlights

Remember

• This is meant to be generative, and used for divergent thinking as opposed to convergent thinking and decision making

• Using Timed Shares is a great way to invite input from a group after SOC Writing

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6. The 5Cs of Identity

WHEN TO USE

Any time you...

• meet a new team member

• interview a candidate

• want to deepen working relationships or connection within a group.

How to use the 5Cs

1. Continue to reflect on your 5Cs and how they have influenced your own life

2. To deepen your conversations, share about how your 5Cs have impacted your life, identity and shaped who you are. This is a way to create an environment of openness and vulnerability in your relationships both personally and professionally

3. Ask someone else who attended the Unpack Your Inheritance Workshop to have a deeper one-on-one conversation about the 5Cs and how they have impacted both of you

4. Notice when you are making an assumption about someone else. Ask yourself: do I know their 5Cs and how these have impacted their life experience?

The 5Cs

1. Country: The country, countries or geographical regions you were born in, raised in, and where your ancestors lived

2. Culture: The attitudes and behavior characteristic of a particular social group i.e. how you behave in the world

3. Creed: The body of beliefs, rites, practices and community that comprise your religious or spiritual upbringing

4. Color: The color of your skin, and its impact on how you are seen and treated in society

5. Class: The social hierarchies of income, education, and status which determine the social groups with which we identify

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