Aug
11
2016
Brexit and inclusive leadership: 10 point manifesto
Guest blog from the Equality Academy.
At the Equality Academy, we see the challenge of Brexit as a situation demanding bold, inspired and inclusive leadership.
Here’s our ten point ‘manifesto’ to help you be an inclusive leader in the wake of Brexit:
1. Strategise: bring your leadership team together now to agree a positive strategy for safeguarding the interests of your EU staff and promoting good relationships between EU nationals and non-EU nationals in your workforce.
2. Communicate boldly and proactively: do not wait for reports of bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or discrimination. Underline core values of inclusion, dignity, valuing people, working together across differences for a common purpose.
3. Reassure: directly address people in the organisation who are feeling insecure about their future. Give assurances about the period between now and the Brexit settlement; tell them you will advocate for them all means available to you.
4. Task Line Managers: ensure that all those responsible for people in the business are tasked with ensuring a workplace free of harassment and discrimination, and given explicit support by leadership to do so.
5. Give a warning: serve notice to those who think that the Leave vote was a green light for bigotry, that any acts of discrimination or harassment will be dealt with firmly. Such people may be in a minority, but can still cause great damage.
6. Encourage reporting: encourage those who experience harassment, bullying, discrimination, including to and from work, to report their experiences promptly through clearly laid out channels.
7. Follow through: if or when incidents come to light, deal with them swiftly, fairly, firmly and transparently, so that staff can see you ‘walk your talk’.
8. Promote diversity and dignity: highlight repeatedly your existing policies covering fairness, respect, dignity, diversity, equality and inclusion.
9. Training: provide targeted training to key sections of the workforce on diversity and dignity, with particular attention to on nationality, race, ethnicity and religion, emphasising the value of diversity to the business.
10. Monitor and review: schedule in monitoring and review meetings to examine the effectiveness of this strategy every six months as a minimum, until such a time as the post-Brexit status quo has been properly established.
The Equality Academy is available to provide any of the services listed below to support conscious and inclusive leadership on these issues during this time of change:
- One:to:one leadership coaching or confidante services
- Leadership team facilitation or workshops, including Inclusive leadership intensives
- Facilitation of dialogue amongst key stakeholders
- Diversity audit or review, including staff consultation
- Inclusive Leadership Masterclass
Contact the Equality Academy for further information on 0333 800 5141 or by email info@theeqaulityacademy.com.
