5 Reasons Why A Culture Of Belonging Is Good For Business

It’s becoming increasingly clear that inclusion — creating a culture where everyone can belong — is just as crucial in business as it is in everyday life.

Sure, there are many data-driven reasons why — for example, inclusive work teams are, on average, about 35% more productive than the opposite — but there are also broader, far-reaching reasons for its importance. These are exemplified by companies like Procter & Gamble (P&G) that have elevated equality and inclusion from a business initiative to a way of doing business.

Curious about what this means for P&G’s day-to-day operations and its impact on employees and consumers? Here are a few highlights:

Innovating Inclusive Products

Diverse perspectives aren’t only important in movies and media to widen our views; they’re also important in the innovation of the products you use. For instance, consider P&G employees like Omar Goff, now at Mielle Organics, whose leadership helped ensure Old Spice products are inclusive of all skin care and shaving needs, and fostered more accurate portrayals of Black men on screen; or the Ariel Team’s design work on the ergonomic SECURECLICbox, making it accessible for all. By expanding products to better serve diverse communities, confidence in both brands and individuals grow, while simultaneously opening up new markets and making products better for everyone. If that’s not a win-win, what is?

Inspiring Important Conversations

Everyone wants to feel heard and acknowledged. Sometimes that means leaning into uncomfortable conversations to build understanding and empathy. An inclusive workplace encourages the amplification of different voices and stories, providing opportunities for mutual learning. P&G has firsthand experience with this through initiatives like Widen the Screen and Can’t Cancel Pride, as well as its award-winning AAPI-centered film “The Name," which drives visibility and support for all its employees, consumers, and communities around the world.

Stepping Up To Support

Relying on each of us taking our own small steps, we can create changes that support families and communities. This can look like offering parental leave to both parents of a new child, or working to alleviate period poverty and support menstrual education. P&G has made strides in both of these areas with initiatives like their Share the Care employee program and their partnership between its brands Always, Tampax, and Global Citizen. Such programs not only support consumers, they also instill pride in employees, because they’re part of a company that cares — a crucial component that’s often overlooked.

Developing Inclusive Leadership

It feels good to know we can look forward to growth in our careers. Seeing people like us in important positions fills us with inspiration, and it tells us we can achieve the same someday. This sentiment is often shared and can be even more profound for historically marginalized groups, amplifying the impact of seeing someone who looks like you succeed. P&G gets this. To best reach and serve the unique needs of each consumer group and support all of their employees, they’ve jumped in with both feet, recruiting, developing, and retaining the very best talent to create innovative products that consumers love, while growing employees’ careers. Because so many of their products are made for women, P&G’s partnerships with organizations like Girl Up not only support educational opportunities but also develop future leaders who strengthen P&G’s work and positively impact communities worldwide.

A chorus of voices in leadership fosters feelings of belonging, empowerment, and inspiration among employees, and that leads to much greater levels of success for everyone.

Setting Up A Future Of Belonging

Many studies project a significantly more diverse future, with some suggesting a 176% increase in the multiracial population by 2060. This underscores the importance of community and connection for millions. Considering that people spend roughly one-third of their lives at work, why not ensure that these elements can be found among colleagues? A person who feels comfortable and supported is more likely to pay those feelings forward, which is a cycle we can all get behind.

In an inclusive environment, joy, authenticity, innovation, and mutual respect abound. Growth, change, and empowerment are encouraged. When done right, inclusion transcends a mere concept — it becomes a way of belonging, of business, and of life.

To learn more about how Procter & Gamble accomplishes this, read about it here.