Leveraging Power to Create Space: Fostering Inclusive Leadership

In a Zoom meeting, a female team member begins to share her thoughts on a project. Midway through, she’s interrupted by her male colleague. Rather than letting the interruption slide, the manager steps in, steering the conversation back to her, ensuring she is heard and can finish her point. This is a powerful example of inclusive leadership, where leaders use their position to create space for others and foster a more respectful, equitable environment.

Why Small Acts Matter

Interruptions in meetings, especially when directed at women or minority voices, are often more than just disruptions. They can signal power imbalances and reinforce the idea that certain voices are more important than others. Research shows that women, particularly in professional settings, are interrupted more frequently than their male counterparts. These moments of dismissal, even if unintentional, contribute to a culture where some employees feel overlooked and undervalued.

In the scenario above, the manager recognizes the power dynamics at play and consciously redirects the conversation to give the female team member space to speak. This act not only ensures that she is heard but also signals to the entire team that everyone’s input is valuable, regardless of gender or position. Such actions define inclusive leadership, where leaders actively foster an environment where all voices can be heard.

The Role of Leaders in Creating Inclusive Spaces

Inclusive leadership isn’t just about having diversity and inclusion policies in place—it’s about taking action in everyday interactions. Managers and leaders play a crucial role in shaping the tone of team meetings, ensuring that conversations are balanced and all voices are respected. By stepping in when someone is interrupted, leaders demonstrate that they are paying attention and are committed to creating an inclusive culture.

When leaders leverage their power to create space for others, they encourage collaboration and respect. Small but meaningful actions like these help break down barriers to engagement and allow everyone to contribute fully, regardless of their position or identity.

The Impact of Interruptions and Marginalization

Frequent interruptions or being talked over can erode confidence over time, especially for women or individuals from marginalized groups. When these behaviors go unchecked, they send a message that some voices are less worthy of being heard. This can lead to employees feeling disengaged, less motivated to contribute, or even burned out.

Studies show that women are often interrupted more frequently than men in professional settings, and their ideas are sometimes credited to others if they are not given the space to present them fully. This doesn’t just hurt the individuals involved—it negatively impacts the organization’s ability to benefit from diverse perspectives.

How to Foster Inclusive Leadership in Meetings

Here are a few ways leaders and teams can create more space for everyone to contribute:

1. Be Mindful of Interruptions: Encourage a team culture where interruptions are minimized, and when they occur, address them immediately.
2. Use Your Position to Redirect: If someone is interrupted, like in the Zoom scenario above, step in and redirect the conversation back to them. A simple, “Let’s let [name] finish their thought,” can go a long way.
3. Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Proactively seek input from all team members, particularly those who may be less vocal. Open-ended questions can help foster more inclusive dialogue.
4. Establish Ground Rules: Set clear expectations about respectful communication during meetings. This helps prevent the marginalization of any team member.
5. Model Inclusive Behavior: Leaders should model the behavior they want to see in their teams. Listening actively, inviting contributions from everyone, and addressing bias when it arises are key to inclusive leadership.

The Power of Inclusive Leadership

Inclusive leadership is about recognizing when someone’s voice isn’t being heard and using your position to amplify it. It’s about understanding that, sometimes, what is left unsaid in meetings is just as important as what is said. Leaders who consciously create space for their team members, especially those who might otherwise be marginalized, help cultivate a more inclusive, dynamic, and engaged workforce.

The manager in our example didn’t wait for the female team member to ask for space. Instead, they proactively made room for her to contribute, sending a clear message to the entire team: everyone’s voice matters. This type of leadership can have a profound impact, fostering a culture of respect and collaboration that empowers all employees to bring their best ideas forward.

The Importance of Inclusive Leadership

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It requires awareness and action, particularly from those in positions of power. By actively steering conversations back to individuals who are interrupted or overlooked, managers and leaders help to dismantle biases and create environments where everyone feels valued. These small moments—where leaders speak up to ensure others are heard—are hallmarks of inclusive leadership. They can lead to larger cultural shifts, promoting fairness and equality in the workplace.