Inclusion: how an understanding of neuroscience enhances your gender initiatives

Abstract

Purpose

The author recently conducted a research with companies about their gender diversity and inclusion initiatives to understand how successfully “lighthouse” organizations were moving the dial on creating inclusive cultures and whether an understanding of neuroscience helped to explain the importance of cultural change.

Design/methodology/approach

For the research, the author used a modeling methodology which had been designed to identify the difference that makes a difference and the things which really work.

Findings

Helping leaders understand the science behind why inclusion is important in business, the definition of inclusion, how the impact of exclusion on productivity, creativity, and engagement reduces resistance to change, and explains why the HR’s advice is beneficial to the success of the business.

Originality/value

The research found that few organizations are using an understanding of the negative impact of exclusion to make a business case for creating an inclusive culture.

Citation

Hills, J. (2019), "Inclusion: how an understanding of neuroscience enhances your gender initiatives", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 20-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-07-2018-0082