Leadership Check-in

Validation Process:

The Validation Process in leadership involves acknowledging and appreciating the thoughts, feelings, and contributions of team members. It's about affirming their worth and ideas, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. This process equips leaders to make informed decisions, improves team morale, fosters better communication, and encourages a culture of mutual respect and understanding.

Examples:

Example 1: A staff member expresses frustration about constantly changing project deadlines. The leader demonstrates active listening by paraphrasing the concern, affirming that they understand before moving to solutions.

• • "Help me understand how that is impacting you."
• • "It sounds like the shifting deadlines are making it difficult for you to plan your workload effectively. I can see how that would be frustrating. Let's talk about what's within our control to make this more manageable."

Example 2: A frontline employee suggests a change to the scheduling system that leadership had not previously considered. The leader recognizes the value of the employee's perspective and commits to elevating their input into the decision-making process.

• • "That's an interesting point - I hadn't thought about how this impacts daily scheduling at your level. I will bring this to our next planning meeting and see if we can make adjustments that work better for your team."

Inclusion:

Inclusion in the workforce refers to creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and have equitable and equal access to opportunities and resources. It's about embracing diversity and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can contribute fully and feel a sense of belonging. Inclusive leadership involves actively working to recognize and minimize biases, fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed and every team member feels empowered to participate fully.