AAASSU Inclusive Leadership

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AAASSU INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP
Members First | G$D | True North

📊 Your Inclusive Leadership Dashboard

📈 Your Progress

Complete your self-assessment to see your progress

📅 Current Week Focus
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🎯 The 10 HBR Inclusive Leadership Behaviors

Click any behavior to learn more about Low, Average, and High ability levels.

💡 Key Concepts from HBR Research
🌉 BRIDGING

Connecting authentically with people DIFFERENT from you. Essential for white leaders.

🤝 BONDING

Connecting authentically with people SIMILAR to you in marginalized identity. Essential for BIPOC leaders.

⚠️ MIRRORING

When BIPOC modify behavior to match white managers. WARNING: Indicates non-inclusive environment.

🎯 The 10 HBR Inclusive Leadership Behaviors

Based on research by Dr. Salwa Rahim-Dillard involving 100+ mid and senior-level BIPOC employees across multiple industries.

📅 Your 12-Week Implementation Plan

Each week focuses on a specific HBR behavior with daily practices, meeting agendas, and bridging actions.

📝 Inclusive Leadership Self-Assessment

Rate yourself 1-5 on each behavior. Be honest - this is for your own development.

# Behavior Low (1-2) Average (3) High (4-5) Score
TOTAL SCORE: 0
📊 Scoring Guide (from HBR Research)
10-20: LOW ABILITY

Significant development needed; behaviors likely causing harm to BIPOC employees.

21-35: AVERAGE ABILITY

Some positive impact but inconsistent; room for growth.

36-50: HIGH ABILITY

Positive impact; continue growing. DEI work is never-ending.

🌉 Bridging & Bonding: Key Concepts

🌉 BRIDGING
"Connecting authentically with people who are DIFFERENT from you demographically."

Who needs it: White leaders interacting across demographic differences

Key finding: More than 89% of white leaders in the HBR study severely lacked bridging ability.

Practice activities:

  • Attend ERG events as participant, not leader
  • Seek mentors/mentees from different backgrounds
  • Learn about cultural practices, holidays, experiences
  • Ask genuine questions and listen deeply
🤝 BONDING
"Connecting authentically with people who are SIMILAR to you in marginalized identity."

Who needs it: BIPOC leaders connecting with other BIPOC employees

Practice activities:

  • Mentor BIPOC employees authentically
  • Participate in ERGs as genuine member
  • Create safe spaces for shared experiences
  • Advocate for BIPOC advancement
⚠️ MIRRORING (Warning Sign)
"Workplace impression-management where BIPOC modify behavior, appearance, or values to match white managers."

WARNING: This indicates a non-inclusive environment. If BIPOC employees are mirroring, your leadership is failing.

Difference from code-switching: Code-switching is brief vernacular adjustment. Mirroring is pervasive strategy requiring abandonment of core values and authentic self.

Signs of mirroring:

  • BIPOC employees changing appearance, speech, or values
  • BIPOC avoiding cultural expression at work
  • BIPOC not speaking up despite having strong opinions
  • Homogeneous team behavior despite diverse backgrounds

📆 Annual Inclusion Calendar

Monthly themes and focus areas to maintain inclusive leadership practices year-round.

❓ Knowledge Check: HBR Inclusive Leadership

Test your understanding of the 10 behaviors, bridging, bonding, and key concepts from the HBR research.

Question 1 of 25

🏆 Lifetime Commitment Journey

The HBR research is clear: DEI work is never-ending. Here's your perpetual commitment framework.

PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Weeks 1-12)

Focus: Building Awareness & Initial Skill Development

  • Complete self-assessment and identify 2-3 priority behaviors
  • Practice bridging/bonding daily
  • Seek feedback from diverse colleagues
  • Target: Measurable improvement in all 10 behaviors
PHASE 2: DEEPENING (Year 1-2)

Focus: Refining Practice & Expanding Impact

  • Mentor and sponsor emerging diverse talent
  • Lead inclusion initiatives in your area
  • Address systemic barriers you observe
  • Target: Become a known inclusion champion
PHASE 3: MASTERY (Years 2+)

Focus: Systemic Impact & Legacy Building

  • Influence organizational policies and practices
  • Develop other inclusive leaders
  • Create lasting structural changes
  • Target: Transform culture; measurable organizational impact
📜 THE COMMITMENT

"I commit to the never-ending work of inclusive leadership. I will reflect on my behaviors, augment my strengths, narrow opportunity gaps, and create environments where ALL team members can be their authentic selves."

— Members First | G$D | True North

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