Page 18 - LRCC Jan 2023 FOCUS

The Culture of Care & Belonging: LEADERSHIP IN THE DEI JOURNEY

Building a Culture of Care: Dr. Bailey says organizations that successfully create a
The Importance of Trust culture where employees experience a sense of belonging
have an atmosphere where employees can show up as
The foundation of a strong culture is trust, which their authentic selves. That means feeling free to show
requires a long-term commitment. Dr. Bailey says up in their cultural, ethnic and gender identity. When an
leaders foster greater trust when employee has to hide who they
they are willing to listen and seek are, the company will not get
feedback from team members the best employees have to offer.
and other stakeholders, including Organizations need to develop
customers. She also points to the We had to do multiple strategies and support systems
importance of encouraging more where there is a culture of care
coaching, providing resources things at the same time. for everyone. Involving employees
for employees to be successful in decision making and strategic
and staying true to their word — First, putting our staff planning for the organization are
putting words into action. Greater essential. Dr. Bailey also stresses the
trust builds more engagement. through extensive DEI importance of benefits packages
that include emotional wellness
“When trust is established, training and then a DEI and mental health initiatives,
individuals bring their best training and development and
selves to work,” said Dr. Bailey. Roundtable and DEI support for educational needs.
“Employees tend to be more
creative, collaborative, and excel Education series for our “Whenever an individual feels they
in leadership, when they have are valued they show up greatly,”
a greater sense of individual members. We made sure said Dr. Bailey. “They show up in
well-being, cultural support and innovation, creativity and ingenuity.
work in an environment where that not only were we They will go above and beyond for
belonging are established.” an organization that respects and
educated internally but honors them.”
One of the ways TechSmith
encourages trust in its culture also were able to provide Ashlee Willis says organizations can
is through two “work from enhance that sense of belonging
anywhere months” in January by recognizing how team members
and July where team members education and training for talents are contributing to progress,
literally can work from wherever celebrating milestones and making
they choose, in accordance with both business owners and sure that inclusive leadership exists
company guidelines. Massey says at all levels of the organization. She
the program is designed to give their employees. also stresses the importance of
employees increased flexibility. team member support.
The company also encourages
experiments, where team members suggest new ideas “Organizations can provide a welcoming and safe
that are implemented on a temporary basis. If it works, environment for employees by creating employee
the idea is implemented permanently. resource groups (ERG). This allows organizations to
create a stronger connection with other team members.
“People know you are going to live up to your word,” It creates an environment where people feel confident
said Massey. “That’s how to you keep innovation. That’s and secure because they have the support from team
how you keep people from different background and members with similar interest and backgrounds to foster
cultures engaged.” collaboration,” said Willis.
Building a Culture of Care: Enabling a Creating a sense of belonging is also good for business.
Sense of Belonging Organizations with a substantial DEI commitment average
a 20 percent increase in their overall revenue. 33 percent of
Roughly 40 percent of Americans feel physically and employees tend to stay when there is a sense of belonging
emotionally isolated in the workplace, according the environment. Millennials report they want to be part of an
Belonging Barometer Study from the Center for Talent organization with a strong DEI commitment.
Innovation. The study goes on to report that employees
who have a sense of belonging and inclusion in the The DEI Leadership Journey Continues
workplace are 3.5 times more likely to contribute to
their full potential. LRCC has numerous programs that provide education,

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