The 6Cs of inclusive leadership refer to cognizance, curiosity, cultural intelligence, collaboration, courage, and commitment. These are essential traits of an inclusive leader, and every leader must work towards developing them. What practical steps can a leader take to become more inclusive?
from — Kwan, C. (2024, June 24). Six traits of an inclusive Leader to help them succeed — Kahilla. Kahilla. 

Some inclusive leadership examples include respecting each other’s religious and cultural practices without bias, approaching gender and sexuality with sensitivity, and making accommodations for the physically challenged.
from — Kwan, C. (2024, June 24). Six traits of an inclusive Leader to help them succeed — Kahilla. Kahilla. 

Insufficient inclusive leadership is marked by a priority on efficiency, control, and task completion over individual and relationship concerns. Insufficient inclusive leaders do not recognize or affirm the diverse needs and challenges faced by individual members. They apply unilateral decision-making, give minimal attention to equity considerations, overlook the invisible challenges of non-mainstream individuals, and avoid getting involved in relationship building as they view it as a non-critical aspect of task completion. Such behaviors may help meet shorter-term business goals but may also lead to longer-term problems, such as an increased turnover risk for individuals out of the mainstream due to inadequate support, lower decision quality because not all perspectives are considered, and the shortage of camaraderie that is necessary to build trust and bind group members together through challenging situations.
from — IMD Business School. (2025, June 11). Five everyday scenarios that call for inclusive leadership – and how to go about it – I by IMD. IMD Business School for Management and Leadership Courses. 

Good inclusive leadership is characterized by a desire to support individuals, listen for input in decisions, distribute information and resources equally, and help build team camaraderie. However, these actions are carried out on a case-by-case basis within entrenched practices. For example, they tolerate the needs of non-mainstream individuals and provide help when called upon. They rely on general approaches (e.g., mass distribution of email messages) to gather decision input from the majority without considering the actual participation of different individuals. They are committed to addressing equity concerns by evoking general policies or tackling bias incidents on an individual basis.
from — IMD Business School. (2025, June 11). Five everyday scenarios that call for inclusive leadership – and how to go about it – I by IMD. IMD Business School for Management and Leadership Courses. 

Great inclusive leadership follows four behavioral principles: (1) affirming differences – assuming differences among individuals and affirming their unique value, (2) striving for full participation – enabling actual participation of all members not just majority members, (3) adopting systematic approaches – using structured processes and group level interventions to normalize inclusive practices, and (4) maximizing flexibility – leveraging a variety of approaches, formal and informal, to solicit perspectives and build relationships.
from — IMD Business School. (2025, June 11). Five everyday scenarios that call for inclusive leadership – and how to go about it – I by IMD. IMD Business School for Management and Leadership Courses. 

Differing from existing thinking highlighting inclusive leaders’ functions when biases happen, our findings suggest that inclusive leadership behaviors are needed more in normal operations than in exceptional situations. And distinct from common conceptions of inclusive leaders as being nice to others, great inclusive leadership is deliberate, principled, and systematic. It involves assuming and affirming differences, ensuring full participation, leveraging formal and informal channels, and innovating out of entrenched practices. It is a superpower leaders can acquire to elevate the well-being and performance of their people, teams, and organizations.
from — IMD Business School. (2025, June 11). Five everyday scenarios that call for inclusive leadership – and how to go about it – I by IMD. IMD Business School for Management and Leadership Courses.