Why inclusion is an ongoing journey: Insights from Fidelity Investments India’s HR head
What makes inclusion truly effective? A few training programs and policies won’t suffice. According to Seema Unni, Head of HR at Fidelity Investments India, fostering an inclusive culture requires a holistic, long-term strategy that enables employees to bring their whole selves to work while ensuring that inclusion is deeply embedded in an organiSation's DNA.
“Inclusion for an organisation should be seen as an ongoing journey, where the milestones are key to its progress,” says Seema.
On this International Women's Day, she outlines four key practices that can fuel this journey and create a truly inclusive workplace:
Transcending beyond training
Organisations should not view training as the only avenue to fuel the long-term career growth of women. They should also intentionally promote on-the-job learning and strong leadership opportunities for women to contribute to the firm’s strategic direction.
Adopting a hyper-personalised approach
A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to leadership development. To complement training programs, organisations should adopt a hyper-personalised approach where the skills, expertise, and aspirations of women are mapped to specific leadership roles.
Amplifying success stories
Role models matter. Seema suggests amplifying success stories from across the organisation, as these would help build an ecosystem of excellence, providing role models that others could emulate.
Ensuring psychological safety
For all of the above to work, employees—especially women—must feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and pursue leadership roles without fear of bias or judgment. Organisations should ensure psychological safety for women so that they have a conducive environment in which they could make the best use of the opportunities provided.
For Seema, there is no one secret recipe for success. “Rather, a holistic and multi-pronged approach is key to balancing career growth opportunities with a supportive, caring, and nurturing workplace environment where employees can thrive.”
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By embedding inclusion into everyday practices, organisations can ensure that their workforce doesn’t just grow but thrives for the long haul.