Feb. 29, 2024

Dear Reader,

In increasingly diverse workplaces, suspending judgment is crucial for:

• Creating environments where everyone feels valued and respected
• Encouraging Diversity of thought is crucial to innovative solutions and creative problem-solving
• Building Trust and Collaboration among diverse team members
• Creating fair and equitable opportunities for all team members
• Promoting Empathy and Understanding

Let’s kick off the series on judgment in diverse workplaces and answer this week’s question on how to suspend judgment. We will do so through our usual cornerstones: self-awareness, augmented leadership, and Emotional and Cultural Agility.

​

Self-Awareness

Engaging in introspection helps cultivate the openness necessary to suspend judgment and embrace diverse perspectives.

Take a moment to reflect on your biases, preconceptions, and practices to suspend judgment. Think about a recent intercultural interaction.

• Have I recently encountered a situation where I felt inclined to judge someone based on their cultural background?
• What specific cultural biases or stereotypes may have influenced my initial reaction?
• Did I approach the interaction with an open mind and a willingness to suspend judgment?
• How could suspending judgment enhance the quality of the interaction? In what ways could it contribute to mutual understanding and respect?
• What practices can I employ to develop further my ability to suspend judgment in future intercultural interactions?

What are you learning?

​

Augmented Leadership

Integrating self-leadership and leadership practices into your approach can effectively sustain your efforts as an Inclusive Leader.

Self-leadership

In my last Wednesday video, I tackled a foundational step into suspending judgment: recognizing when we’re passing judgment. It may sound simple, but it’s a skill that requires practice and self-awareness.

When we recognize that we are in the process of forming a judgment, it allows us to pause and reflect on the validity and fairness of that judgment. This awareness will enable us to challenge our assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, and approach the situation more objectively and openly.

Furthermore, awareness of our tendency to judge helps us acknowledge the limitations of our perspectives and experiences. It reminds us that our judgments may be influenced by cultural background, personal biases, and emotional state, which can distort our perception of reality.

By recognizing the subjective nature of our judgments, we become more humble and receptive to the viewpoints of others.

Ultimately, being aware that we are judging lets us exercise greater control over our thoughts and behaviors. It empowers us to suspend judgment, engage in more empathetic and inclusive interactions, and foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

​

Leading a diverse team

Judgment inhibits growth and stifles inclusion. By suspending judgment, we create safe spaces where individuals feel empowered to express themselves authentically and without fear of criticism.

• Facilitate discussions that promote healthy debate and exchange of ideas while being aware of judgment.

​

• Foster open-mindedness and curiosity, fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and respect where diverse perspectives are celebrated and leveraged for collective success.

​

• Encourage team members to reflect on their cultural biases, assumptions, and judgments. Provide resources and tools for self-assessment, such as cultural competency quizzes or reflection exercises. Encourage employees to challenge their assumptions and consider how their cultural background influences their perceptions and behaviors. By promoting self-awareness, employees can develop the ability to suspend judgment and engage more effectively in intercultural interactions.

​

Emotional and Cultural Agility

Cultivate empathy by seeking to understand others’ experiences and emotions.

Recognize that everyone brings unique backgrounds and perspectives, and suspend judgment by empathizing with their viewpoints.

Moreover, practice cultural humility by acknowledging that you may not have all the answers and being open to learning from diverse perspectives.

Embracing emotional and cultural agility enables you to navigate complex situations with empathy and openness, fostering inclusivity within your team and beyond.

​

In conclusion, suspending judgment is a journey that begins with self-awareness and extends to augmented leadership skills and emotional and cultural agility. Inclusive leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued and respected by embracing openness, curiosity, empathy, and cultural humility.

​

Let’s pave the way for sustainable and inclusive environments where every voice is heard, understood, and embraced.

​

Until next time,

Catherine

🌟 The Inclusive Leadership Spotlight is Yours! 🌟

🗣️ Remember, Inclusive Leadership is not a destination; it’s a continuous evolution. Let’s illuminate our path, champion inclusivity, and shape a future where every voice is heard and valued.

​

​