Project managers bear the responsibility of nurturing a culture of inclusivity and equity within the projects they lead. As proponents of servant leadership, we grasp the vital importance of intentionally cultivating a team culture that embraces diverse expertise, lived experiences, and cultural differences, transcending geographical boundaries.
In my public sector experience, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles stand as foundational pillars of our current government administration's mission. Our commitment extends to modeling these values and implementing corrective actions where needed, not only to support the public sector workforce but also to better serve the public itself.
Who is not at the table?
A year ago, I encountered a profoundly thought-provoking question: "Who is not in the room?" This question emerged during a TED Talks, by Amber Hikes, a social justice advocate and community organizer who identifies as queer and black. In Amber's TED Talks titled,
Amber emphasized the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship and underscored the question, "Who is not at the table?" to deliver a powerful message about inclusivity and equity.
The question, "Who is not at the table?", fundamentally reshaped my thinking, influencing my management style and approach. After considerable reflection and experimentation, I have adopted three practices that serve me well when embarking on new projects:
Project Team Chart Creation: Developing a project team chart that identifies all team members, their titles, and affiliations helps me understand the project's hierarchical structure and stakeholders.
Stakeholder Mapping: Conducting a preliminary stakeholder mapping exercise aids in identifying stakeholders and uncovering any potential omissions. It allows me to visualize the relationships between stakeholders and reduce blind spots.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: Engaging in discussions with colleagues, whether from within my team or other teams, provides invaluable insights. These interactions allow me to gain a deeper understanding of the project, potential stakeholders, required expertise, and necessary resources from a professional perspective.
Pitfalls In Project Management
Project managers, like everyone else, have blind spots. Unfortunately, these blind spots can deprive project teams of diverse problem-solving approaches, potentially impacting project deliverables. To avoid these pitfalls, project managers should:
Embrace the Tuckerman Model: Recognize and address the stages of team development, including forming, storming, norming, and performing.
Avoid Biased Hiring Practices: Steer clear of favoring specific educational pedigrees and consider diverse educational backgrounds and expertise.
Engage Stakeholders Effectively: Seek meaningful engagement with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations fully.
Now that we are at the table, what's next?
For project professionals or servant leaders who have successfully nurtured a culture of inclusivity, the next step is to transition toward a culture of equity. I envision equity as an action—a prompt to take meaningful steps. Equitable practices may encompass:
Empowering a Person with a Disability to Lead a Meeting: Their unique perspective can offer valuable insights.
Amplifying the Work of Female Team Members: Recognizing and promoting their innovative contributions.
Including Seasoned Employees in Ideation Sessions: Their experience can be a treasure trove of wisdom.
Inviting Team Members from Underrepresented Groups to Unconventional Meetings: Diverse voices can spark fresh ideas.
Advocating for and Supporting Team Members New to the Organization's Culture: Cultural transitions can be challenging, and your support can make a significant difference.
Inviting a Broad Range of Customers for User Feedback: Their insights can enhance your project's outcomes.
Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity and Equity
As a new project manager, keenly observe your project team's dynamics and organizational culture. Engage in discussions and assess the inclusivity and equity within your project environment. Pay attention to who is in the room, both in-person and virtually, considering expertise, gender, age, educational backgrounds. Challenge yourself to ask, "Who is not at the table?"
As your leadership skills continue to evolve, maintaining awareness of "who is not at the table?" will serve as a valuable introspective assessment. Understanding the diversity and inclusivity of your project teams will inform your actions and help you avoid potential pitfalls.
Disclaimer: This TED Talks "Want to Truly Succeed: Lift Others While We Climb", is the intellectual property of TED and is used here under TED Talks' Usage Policy.
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