Inclusive Leadership Fundamentals

Introduction

Core aspects of leadership, such as setting direction and influencing others, are timeless, but there is a new capability that is vital to the way leadership is executed. Inclusive leadership is essential to fostering an environment of empowered well-being, where people are given the support and flexibility they need to be energised, confident, and aware. Research by Deloitte identified six signature traits which highly inclusive leaders demonstrate. This programme offers you the opportunity to explore these six signature traits: curiosity, cultural intelligence, collaboration, commitment, courage and cognisance. You will gain a deeper understanding of who you are and how you impact others. Embodiment of these traits enables you to operate more effectively within diverse teams, access a more diverse spectrum of ideas, and enable diverse individuals to reach their full potential. When you have clarity about what it means to be highly inclusive, you will be well on your way to securing a rewarding career helping others and making a profound and sustainable impact with the teams you work with here on campus, in your local communities and with future employers.

Programme Content

The programme is based on the model of six signature traits which highly inclusive leaders demonstrate, developed by Deloitte. The programme will explore the following traits so you can develop a mindset and behaviours which supports inclusion:

• Curiosity: Highly inclusive leaders have an open mindset, a desire to understand how others view and experience the world, and a tolerance for ambiguity. You will be encouraged to seek opportunities to connect with a diverse range of people and practice asking curious questions and actively listening to deepen your understanding of their perspectives. This in turn promotes empathy and perspective-taking.

• Collaboration: Highly inclusive leaders empower individuals as well as create and leverage the thinking of diverse groups. You will understand how power dynamics, dominating styles, and low tolerance of differences can stop team members from speaking up and learn how to create teams where people feel safe to contribute without fear of embarrassment or punishment, empowering teams to connect with others in the pursuit of diverse perspectives.

• Courage: Highly inclusive leaders speak up and challenge the status quo. You will build your awareness of your strengths and weaknesses, explore the concept of vulnerability, and learn how to hold others to account for non-inclusive behaviour.

• Cognisance: Highly inclusive leaders are mindful of personal and organisational blind spots and self-regulate to help ensure “fair play”. You will learn about implicit biases and how they narrow your field of vision and prevent you from making objective decisions.

• Cultural Intelligence: Highly inclusive leaders are confident and effective in cross-cultural interactions. You will explore different cultural frameworks and recognise how your own culture impacts your personal worldview and how to build stronger connections with people from different backgrounds.

• Commitment: Highly inclusive leaders are committed to diversity and inclusion because the objectives align with their personal values, and they believe in the business case. You will explore your own set of personal values and how to treat diversity and inclusion as a business priority.

To connect these learning topics to challenges in your environment, you are invited to work in small teams to research, identify and submit a funding application for an initiative to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within TU Delft.

Skills and capacities

The module aims to challenge students to think about their understanding of fairness, privilege, equality and advocacy of others in relation to their personal leadership.

• Reflection

• Team work

• Effective communication

• Giving and receiving feedback

• Creative and critical thinking

Logistics

Timing: 17.45-20.00 hrs

The Brightspace platform will be kept up to date with course materials, pre-read materials, assignments as well as logistics so please ensure you check the site regularly for updates.

Lectures will be on campus. Hybrid attendance is not available for this course.

Students are expected to be present at all lectures.

Min. 8 max. 30 students