Photo by Chris Murray on Unsplash

Inclusion Creates a Safe Space

Pamela Pujo
3 min readFeb 27, 2020

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All too often, people find themselves feeling excluded. This can happen at home, in school, or in the workplace. This creates division among individuals and among groups of people and makes it more difficult to finish tasks and live a happy life.

Inclusion is a vital part of any individual’s life — whether social or professional. It is important to feel a sense of belonging and to know that you are valued by those with whom you work and socialize. Some people are assertive enough to make themselves included no matter what, but not everybody shares this personality trait. There are many reasons someone might feel withdrawn or lonely, and it is essential to treat them respect and to try to include them even if it seems like they are distant.

What is an inclusive organization?

An inclusive organization is one that focuses on making members feel accepted and important. Whether this is a workplace, a school, or a self-help group, all members should know that they are welcome and that the others want to hear their ideas and stories. Inclusive organizations have strong leaders who are willing to reach out to even the most withdrawn individuals.

How to promote an inclusive environment

The most important part in creating an exclusive environment is to value every individual for who they are. Focus on their strengths and let them know that they have a purpose within the organization. Make it clear that the others look forward to their input and that they can expect to respected no matter what it is that they bring to the table.

An inclusive requirement requires the help of empathetic leaders who are willing to go the extra mile to make new members comfortable. This means that organizational leaders need to be in tune with their employees. It is vital to know their strengths and weaknesses and to be open and honest with them about expectations and requirements.

It is inevitable that there will be members who feel as though they don’t belong. This can be due to a variety of factors, whether internal or external, but there is always a way to alleviate these feelings of loneliness. Leaders should be willing to approach them and talk through their problems to see why it is that they feel excluded.

Character Appreciation

One of the keys to running an inclusive organization is to let everyone know that they are appreciated for who they are. Results are important, but they aren’t the only reason for accepting somebody. All people should be included in the daily activities and leaders should make it a point to convey positive messages of encouragement.

This encouragement can be done both privately and publicly. Let members know that they are highly valued and that the others around them are thankful for their participation. Inclusion isn’t just about creating a relationship between the leader and the individual. It is about creating a productive environment in which all individuals interact with each other and are happy to be on the same team.

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Pamela Pujo

My mission is to encourage inclusion, diversity, and equity within workspaces and the marketplace.