Deep-Dive Article: Engaging Middle Managers to Build a More Inclusive Culture at your Organization
This article identifies ways organizations can activate middle managers in building a more inclusive culture. Middle managers are crucial in today’s workplace, serving as the link between senior leaders who establish the company’s strategic direction and the individual contributors who work to realize that vision.
At Expanding Equity, we have guided over 150 companies in developing and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies and initiatives. Consistently, we encounter senior leaders struggling with how to engage the “frozen middle” in actively creating a workplace where all employees feel a stronger sense of belonging.
It is essential to actively engage your middle managers to build a more inclusive workplace. Middle managers play a vital role in advancing any organization-wide strategic priority, such as fostering more inclusive, welcoming, and respectful workplace cultures.
Teams with inclusive leaders experience
17% increase in team performance
20% increase in decision-making quality
29% increase in team collaboration compared to those without inclusive leaders
Three questions to help you decide how to activate middle managers in building a more inclusive culture
- Why is it important?
- What can I do?
- Where should I start?
By pinpointing where managers need the most support and crafting tailored inclusion initiatives, companies can implement the most effective strategies for their unique organizational context. This approach fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging that helps all businesses and employees thrive.