Allow These 3 Things and You Will Grow An Inclusive Culture

How to build trust that builds the foundation for truly high performing teams

"I don't get it. Why would a company pay you to run Idea Parties for their employees?"

"Idea Parties are where you can say out loud, sometimes for the first time, what you really want and list your obstacle or obstacles that are standing in your way. Imagine a group of people who work together for 8 or more hours a day, sitting in a room and sharing their wishes with each other. It would be the most powerful team building exercise ever."

"Yes, but would then those employees leave the company to pursue their wants?"

"I think you are making the assumption that most employees don't want to be at work and want to be somewhere else."

"Isn't that true?"

"I don't believe so. I believe most people want to be part of a successful, fun group where they feel they belong, can stretch their skills, learn new things, and have a purpose that drives their work for the betterment of the world. I call it the 'Doing good while feeling good.' And the money they earn supports their families, their communities (church, sports, so on) and allows them to do creative activities that are filling their hearts with memories. Those so called "worth living for".

"Like when I travel! I love traveling!"

"Yes. I believe the other side is also true: there are moments worth working for."

"So, are you saying people won't leave the company though?"

"No. I think people will leave. Just it won't be a large percentage of the employees. Only those will leave who know they would not be able to fit in anyways. They have been faking it for a long time, and it's just not getting 'good' at all. No faking can bring you the joy of getting up and wanting to face whatever life has in stock for you that day. Only when you go to sleep knowing that tomorrow you can work towards your wants, will you get up curios and wanting to face the day. Including the annoying small things and other challenges."

"I can agree with that. I'd rather work with people like the latter than those who are faking it. It makes me not trust them and question their intentions. And it is so tiring. Like they are sucking my energy all day and they don't even know it."

"Yes. Imagine these employees willingly choosing to leave and be the fun, energetic, trusting and engaging employees somewhere else! They would create space for those who want to fit in."

"I see the value now. I think companies would want to have employees who want to be there. I mean, isn't that the point of leadership?"

"I believe Idea Parties are creating the foundation for trust and trust builds the foundation for truly high performing teams. When everyone on the team is comfortable sharing what they want with others, we humans want to solve each others’ obstacles. This is how the brain works. Give me a problem and I am eager to solve it. And we are also better at solving others' problems than our own. Plus, we will always remember those who helped us out. We will feel a deep connection to them."

"And a long lasting one, too."

"In my mind and heart, this is what an inclusive work culture is: we have a space to share our wants and our obstacles. We are being listened to by those we spend time with and have a common purpose with. And collectively we help each other to break down these obstacles. This is what the foundation of a fulfilling job or career is! When we are allowed to do these three things - be in a space to share, listen and be listened to, and solve obstacles together - the outside world sees these: high performance, high trusting, high collaboration, high communication, results, innovation, solutions, growth and profit."

"When we are allowed to do these three things - be in a space to share, listen and be listened to, and solve obstacles together - anything is possible."

"It surely feels like anything is possible. This is how you grow an inclusive culture of infinite possibilities."