Three inclusive team norms that drive success

Despite the many ways that the Future of Work is transforming the business world, one fact endures: Team-based and collaborative work will remain a foundation of successful organizations.

Our survey of more than 4,300 employees across the globe tells us that the key to inclusive teamwork lies in cultivating three team norms: Promoting expressions of difference, fostering a team coaching climate, and codifying fair team decision-making practices.

We found that these three norms characterize inclusive teams by reinforcing team members’ ability to bring their full selves to work, be real with one another, and turn to one another for support. Our data show that employees whose teams regularly practice these norms are more likely to say their teams engage in team innovation, team problem-solving, and team citizenship behaviors.

In addition to these team benefits, employees are also more likely to say that they are engaged and included as individuals.

But here’s the problem: On average, only 31% of employees report “often” or “always” experiencing inclusive team norms at work. Employees from marginalized racial or ethnic groups and people who are trans or nonbinary experience even lower levels of inclusion at work, highlighting the need to create more inclusive workplaces for people of all genders and racial or ethnic backgrounds.

As technological, geopolitical, climate, and social disruptions revolutionize team configurations and goals, getting these behaviors and processes right is critical for success now and into the future.