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Standard : Leaders actively champion inclusion in every forum they lead

Purpose and Strategic Importance

This standard requires leaders to take active, visible responsibility for inclusion — not by delegating it to HR or DEI programmes, but by shaping the conditions of every meeting, decision, and conversation they influence. Inclusion does not happen passively; it requires deliberate leadership action.

It supports the policy "Champion Inclusion and Belonging" by making inclusion an active, day-to-day leadership behaviour rather than a periodic initiative.

Strategic Impact

  • Unlocks the full range of perspectives and expertise within diverse teams
  • Reduces groupthink by actively inviting dissenting and alternative viewpoints
  • Strengthens retention of underrepresented talent who feel valued and visible
  • Builds psychological safety through consistent, fair, and inclusive practice
  • Signals organisation-wide values through visible leadership behaviour

Risks of Not Having This Standard

  • Voices go unheard; decisions are made by the loudest or most senior
  • Talent from underrepresented groups disengages or leaves due to exclusion
  • Diversity initiatives fail because inclusion is not practised where it matters most — in leadership forums
  • Innovation suffers because perspectives that could challenge assumptions are marginalised

CMMI Maturity Model

Level 1 – Initial

Category Description
People & Culture - Inclusion treated as compliance or HR responsibility.
- Leaders unaware of how their behaviour shapes inclusion in meetings.
Process & Governance - No expectation that leaders model inclusive practices in their forums.
- Decisions made by default from dominant voices.
Technology & Tools - No tools or formats designed to promote equal participation.
- Meeting facilitation skills absent or undeveloped.
Measurement & Metrics - No tracking of inclusion in decision-making or participation quality.
- Inclusion measured only through diversity headcount data.

Level 2 – Managed

Category Description
People & Culture - Some leaders make conscious efforts to include quieter voices.
- Inclusion discussed in leadership training but not consistently practised.
Process & Governance - Some structured formats (round-robins, pre-reading) used to support participation.
- Inclusion goals exist but are not embedded in leadership expectations.
Technology & Tools - Basic facilitation tools available but not widely used.
- Anonymous input mechanisms occasionally used in larger forums.
Measurement & Metrics - Engagement survey includes inclusion questions but actions inconsistent.
- Limited data on participation equity in meetings.

Level 3 – Defined

Category Description
People & Culture - Leaders actively create conditions for diverse participation in all forums.
- Inclusive facilitation practices embedded in leadership norms.
Process & Governance - Inclusive design of meetings (agenda sharing, structured turns, async input) is standard.
- Leaders reflect on inclusion in their personal effectiveness reviews.
Technology & Tools - Digital-first tools enable equal participation across geographies and working styles.
- Facilitation guides and inclusion checklists available to all leaders.
Measurement & Metrics - Inclusion and belonging scores tracked through pulse and engagement surveys.
- Leaders reviewed on inclusion behaviours in 360 feedback.

Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed

Category Description
People & Culture - Leaders held accountable for inclusion outcomes, not just intentions.
- Inclusion quality analysed as part of team health and leadership effectiveness data.
Process & Governance - Inclusion outcomes tracked across key decisions and talent processes.
- Data on representation in decision-making visible to leadership.
Technology & Tools - Participation analytics used to identify and address inclusion gaps in key forums.
- Inclusion training linked to measured behaviour change.
Measurement & Metrics - Belonging scores correlated with retention, engagement, and performance outcomes.
- Leaders evaluated on measurable inclusion impact.

Level 5 – Optimising

Category Description
People & Culture - Inclusion is an automatic leadership instinct, not a checklist item.
- Leaders continuously learn and adapt their inclusion practices.
Process & Governance - Inclusive design embedded in every governance and decision-making process.
- Inclusion practices evolve based on emerging research and team feedback.
Technology & Tools - Platforms designed for equitable participation from the outset.
- Real-time inclusion signals visible to leaders during forums.
Measurement & Metrics - Organisation-wide inclusion index tracked at board level.
- Inclusion quality a primary input to leadership capability assessments.

Key Measures

  • Belonging and inclusion scores from pulse and annual engagement surveys
  • Representation in key decisions and leadership forums
  • 360 feedback scores on inclusive facilitation and championing of diverse voices
  • Retention rates for underrepresented groups by leader and team
  • Percentage of meetings designed with explicit inclusion practices
Associated Policies
Associated Practices
  • Team Working Agreements
  • Inclusive Leadership Behaviours

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