Inclusion is a collaborative, supportive, and respectful environment that increases the participation of a diverse group of individuals, and our research concludes the organisational benefits are many:
- Inclusive environments are associated with improved job and/or team performance, as well as higher return on income and productivity. (ref: Diversity Council Australia)
- Teams with inclusive cultures have higher levels of innovation and profit. (ref: Diversity Council Australia)
- Inclusive leadership is associated with greater team engagement, while individuals working in more inclusive team climates report higher levels of commitment and satisfaction and demonstrate access to better job opportunities and career advancement. (ref: Diversity Council Australia)
- Inclusion is associated with a higher sense of employee well-being and psychological safety, as well as employees feeling valued and respected. (ref: Diversity Council Australia)
- Employees are better able to resolve conflict and be more satisfied as a result of having worked through the conflict effectively. (ref: Diversity Council Australia)
- Inclusion and inclusive leadership are associated with reduced employee turnover (ref: Diversity Council Australia) – an important and quantifiable cost.
- The ability to attract high-quality employees – noting in particular professions in which resourcing is scarce, and competition for these employees is high. (ref: McKinsey&Company note, further references required)
- There is a positive and significant correlation between board diversity and superior performance. (ref: La Trobe Business School study examining the nation’s top 500 listed companies between 2005 and 2011)
- Diverse companies organically power creativity to create more innovative products, happier customers and financially outperform their peers. (ref: Thomson Reuters Diversity and Inclusion Index comparing 5000 companies)
- Flexible working arrangements for all staff members embraces individual arrangements and powers strong performing teams.
