Over the course of the last 22 days, the U.S. House of Representatives identified, nominated and failed to elect three potential new speakers before ultimately choosing a new leader, exposing clear divisions in the Republican party. Regardless of your political point of view, this state of chaos is common when there is a lack of common purpose, unified goals and mutual respect for different perspectives.
Given the clear lack of diversity amongst the potential speakers (all white, presumably straight, non-disabled cisgender men), inclusive leadership could help bring unity in the House speaker-selection process. Inclusive leadership, a common practice in corporate America, is a transferable practice to other spheres like politics, religion and other personal spaces. Yet, the practice is rarely utilized. Instead, politicians (Republicans in this case) have chosen to focus on division and polarizing viewpoints.
In corporate America, inclusive leadership is highly correlated with organizational results such as:
- A 17% increase in team productivity
- A 20% increase in positive decision-making
- A 29% growth in collaboration rates
- Six times more likely to be adaptive and innovative
- Eight times more likely to produce better business results
Corporate America has long invested in inclusive leadership training because they understand that in a globalized world, diverse and inclusive organizations are better positioned to understand the communities they hope to serve. If politicians could realize the benefits of inclusive leadership, they might be able to unify their purpose and goals by respecting the diversity of thought within their own party.
Align On a Common Purpose
The two questions politicians should be asking right now are: “Who are we as a party?” and “What do we stand for?” The answer now depends on who you ask. If you don’t know who you are or what your common purpose is, it is very difficult to make decisions such as who the leader is. There are three steps that should be taken to align on a common purpose.
Step one: Define. Clearly articulate the purpose or mission that your team or organization—or, in this case, party—aims to achieve. This purpose should be meaningful, inspiring and easy to understand. It should answer the question, “Why do we exist as a party?”
Step two: Discuss. Include key constituents— in this case, perhaps voters and polling data—in the process of defining the purpose. Their input can help create a purpose that resonates with a broader base.
Step three: Communicate. Effective communication is critical. Share the purpose with all relevant parties and ensure that everyone understands it. Encourage open discussions and feedback to refine and improve the purpose statement.
Aligning on a common purpose is an ongoing process that requires commitment, clear communication and a shared sense of ownership. When everyone understands and is enthusiastic about the purpose, the party is more likely to work cohesively and effectively toward its goals.
Build a Set of Unified Goals
Once the purpose is defined and people are aligned to it, inclusive leaders set clear expectations. Goals are a way to create unity amongst a group. Corporate America has long embraced SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) that align with the purpose and break it down into actionable steps. Essentially, SMART goals answer the question, “For us to achieve our purpose, what needs to happen?”
Goals generally are broken down into initiatives, with resources and milestones. In this case, each congressperson would have goals and objectives aligned with the overarching purpose and strategy. The most unified teams have team members who take ownership of their roles in achieving the purpose and are held accountable, and they often establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track progress toward the goals.
Goals are essential for inclusive leadership to thrive. Without specific direction, team members can deviate from the group, stalling progress. With the current decision-making crisis, House Republicans would benefit from a clear purpose and goals.
Respect Diversity of Thought
Given different beliefs and backgrounds amongst the party right now, it is critical that different voices are heard. Rather than attacking one another and creating different alliances, coming together as a collective is key. That process begins with respect. Without respecting other perspectives and being willing to listen to ideas you personally do not agree with, inclusive leadership cannot work.
Strong leaders know they are not always right. They listen to others and mold ideas together based on the common purpose and goals of the group. By listening to others and empathizing with their perspectives (even if you disagree), the other party is more likely to reciprocate and listen as well. This creates cohesion and respect that can blossom into alignment on decisions, even with polarizing viewpoints.
Inclusive leadership, when practiced effectively, can help overcome divisions, promote unity and lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. By respecting diversity of thought and fostering a culture of inclusion, politicians, or any organization, can work towards a more cohesive and purpose-driven future.
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