A Symphony of Inclusion | Wei Cai | TEDxColumbiaUniversity | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Exclusion can have harmful consequences in both personal and work settings, but implementing formal systems, having strong leadership, and promoting inclusion individually can help address this issue.

Key Insights

• ❓ Exclusion can happen in various settings and has detrimental effects on individuals' confidence and well-being.
• 👨‍🎨 Social exclusion in humans activates the same pain center as physical pain, highlighting its significance.
• ❓ Exclusion negatively impacts the engagement, creativity, and productivity of both excluded individuals and the entire organization.
• 🥺 Implementing formal systems to hire more inclusive employees leads to improved performance and potential spillover effects on existing employees.
• 🖐️ Leaders play a critical role in shaping a more inclusive culture and driving positive outcomes for the organization.
• 🤟 Individuals can promote inclusion through small gestures, which benefits both the organization and their own career advancement.
• 🔨 Inclusion is essential for everyone, regardless of their observable characteristics, and knowing tools to address exclusion is crucial.

Transcript

both of my parents are retired professors studying physics and they had an almost identical career path they went to the same University they shared the same advisors and they were ultimately placed in the same institution after completing their studies so from a strictly academic perspective the only difference between my mother and my father seem... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the consequences of exclusion?

Exclusion can lead to a decline in an individual's confidence, performance, and mental well-being. Furthermore, it can negatively impact an organization's overall engagement, creativity, and productivity.

Q: How can formal systems help tackle exclusion?

Implementing formal systems, such as culture fit measurement systems, can help organizations hire more inclusive employees. Studies have shown that employees selected through these systems perform significantly better over time, and the formal system can also have positive spillover effects on existing employees.

Q: What role do leaders play in promoting inclusion?

Leaders have a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive culture. They can create and manage culture, set the expectation for inclusion, assign tasks that require diverse perspectives, and lead by example. Studies have shown that CEO turnover significantly changes organizational culture, and having a diverse board of directors can influence positive outcomes.

Q: How can individuals promote inclusion?

Individuals don't have to hold leadership positions to promote inclusion. Small gestures, such as including colleagues' perspectives and voices, can make a difference. Inclusive behaviors have been associated with higher growth in firm value and increased chances of career advancement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Exclusion can occur in various settings, and it can have negative effects on individuals' confidence and productivity.

• Social exclusion in humans activates the same pain center as physical pain, highlighting its impact on mental health.

• In business organizations, exclusion leads to decreased engagement, creativity, and productivity for both excluded individuals and the entire group.