Related to inclusion and belonging, activating self-awareness helps us check in with how included we feel, and whether we feel that we belong and our skills and presence are valued in our teams and organisation.

It also can help us identify what we might have to contribute in a situation where we may not be feeling like we belong. One element of inclusion and belonging does sit with the self. Assessments and profiles are good ways to activate this, as well as self-reflection or coaching conversations..  

Self-awareness

The more we activate this, the more intentionally we can look at those around us and understand how they're feeling and what they can offer.

Activating awareness of others means we can look for ways to include others and foster that sense of belonging.

It's relevant for team leaders that their team members have activated self-awareness and other-awareness, and that leaders themselves are aware of the hopes and desires of those they lead.

Awareness of others

Situations can impact people’s level of inclusion and belonging.

When we face change, we can leverage awareness to ensure others feel included throughout the transformation. When we face challenge, we can intentionally make sure everyone in a team feels they belong.

One way to activate situational awareness for a team is through a team diagnostic, where all team members have a chance to share their experiences and their perspectives on what the team is facing as well as its strengths and challenges.

Awareness of the situation or context

Without activating this, we might make assumptions about what people can or cannot do, or what people want to do or don’t want to do. We might just assume what the solution to a challenge is rather than looking around and inviting new possible solutions that could come from people who feel included. 

Activating awareness of future opportunities helps us to not discount new ideas and solutions because we feel we already know the answer. It reminds us that we know ONE answer, and we can hold space for other answers to emerge.

Awareness of future opportunities