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Writer's pictureBennett Bratt

What Happens When Leaders Create Space for All Voices?

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When leaders actively create space for every voice to be heard, teams unlock new levels of creativity, trust, and innovation. Fostering inclusivity leads to powerful ripple effects that benefit individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole.


When leaders prioritize hearing every voice, they’re not just checking a diversity box—they’re unlocking potential. People who feel heard and valued are more likely to engage fully, share ideas, and contribute in meaningful ways. And the results speak for themselves: inclusive and collaborative teams are more innovative, make better decisions, and have higher morale.


Creating Space for All Voices: The Key to Thriving Teams

It’s easy to fall into the trap of relying on the loudest or most confident voices in the room. But when leaders intentionally make room for everyone—no matter their background, role, or experience—something transformative happens. We move from a culture of “following the familiar” to a dynamic environment where fresh ideas and diverse perspectives flourish.


A Quick Note: How We Think About Diversity

Diversity is a hot topic right now—and for good reason. Ensuring that all people are represented in our organizations and communities is crucial. Further, we must continue working to dismantle harmful systems embedded in society that make paths more challenging for people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities.


At Team Elements, we take an even broader view of diversity. We consider diversity the intersection of countless continuums that aren’t binary but rather exist on spectrums. While traditional ways of thinking about diversity—like gender, age, and race—are important, we can expand the conversation by adding other lenses, such as worldview, communication style, personality, problem-solving approach, and more.


When we adopt this more profound understanding of diversity, it becomes clear that each individual is irreducibly unique. And that uniqueness requires advocacy and support, regardless of where you fall on any spectrum. This is the essence of including all voices: we must first see and appreciate how these many (perhaps infinite) lenses and spectrums combine to create a diverse, vibrant tapestry within our teams, families, organizations, and communities.


How Leaders Can Create Space for All Voices

What does this look like in practice? Here are a few ways team members and leaders alike can start creating a more inclusive environment:


  1. Encourage Different Perspectives: Actively seek input from team members who might not always speak up. Use direct invitations like, “I’d love to hear your take on this, Sam,” or “Do you have thoughts on this, Priya?” This signals that their voice matters and that diverse perspectives are not just welcomed—they are essential. When a dissenting opinion is voiced, acknowledge it and give it space to be considered. The team will quickly learn whether sharing differing opinions is safe based on how those thoughts are received. Reward what you want more of.

  2. Practice (and Reward) Active Listening: When someone speaks, give them your full attention. Resist the urge to jump in or rush the conversation forward. Instead, ask follow-up questions that show you’re truly engaging with their input. This helps people feel respected and ensures their ideas are fully understood. Encourage more vocal team members to do the same. If someone dominates conversations, having a private conversation with them might be helpful, encouraging them to ask more questions rather than providing all the information. This adage might help: if you’re thinking about what you will say next, you’re not really listening. 

  3. Rotate Meeting Roles: In team meetings, switch roles like facilitator or note-taker to allow different people to guide the conversation. If you don’t currently assign formal roles, introducing them can provide structure for more engagement. This rotation can also offer valuable leadership experience and help quieter team members find their voice.

  4. Celebrate Diverse Contributions: When a new idea or solution comes from an unexpected source, acknowledge it as soon as possible. Highlighting these moments reinforces that everyone’s contributions are seen and valued. It also encourages others to share more freely, knowing their input won’t be overlooked.


The Business Case of Including All Voices

The benefits of creating space for all voices go far beyond individual contributions. Teams that operate in an inclusive, collaborative way see tangible outcomes, including:


  • Increased Innovation: With more ideas, teams are more likely to develop creative, out-of-the-box solutions.

  • Stronger Team Bonds: When people feel valued and heard, they’re more likely to invest in the team’s success and support one another.

  • Better Decision-Making: Diverse perspectives reduce groupthink and lead to more well-rounded, thoughtful decisions.

  • Higher Engagement and Morale: Employees who feel their contributions matter are more motivated and engaged.


“Your Voice Matters”—Start Communicating It Today

Building an inclusive environment doesn’t require sweeping changes or grand gestures. It starts with small, intentional actions that signal to your team: “Your voice matters.” Whether it’s inviting quieter members to share their thoughts or rotating meeting roles, these steps create a space where everyone feels valued.


Ready to get started? Try this: in your next team meeting, pause after presenting a problem or question and explicitly invite input from those who haven’t yet spoken. You may be surprised by the insights that emerge when you make space for all voices.


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