5 Things This Inclusion Leader Wants You To Know

April is Celebrate Inclusion Month internally at J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. To honor the occasion, I wrote the following blog that a mentor encouraged I post here. So please enjoy my very first LinkedIn article.

1. Inclusion isn’t squishy…

#inclusion sometimes gets a bad rap. Socially, it can be seen as a passing fad or worse, a ploy some companies implement just to boost brand recognition or investments. I’m thankful to work for an organization where neither of those things are true. J.B. Hunt is truly committed to Inclusion, and what that commitment translates to is data-driven decision making that is operationalized in an effort to make our company the BEST place to work.

You see, Inclusion forces us to pause, to think about our different employee types: drivers, office, shop, warehouse, and to carefully consider what each group needs in order to perform at their highest potential, innovate faster than their industry peers, and stay with us for the entirety of their careers. Those needs might look like specific tools, access to certain resources, wholistic support via benefits, more promotional opportunities, additional training prospects, and so much more.

In my mind, J.B. Hunt is like the older sibling to all those with ties to the #supplychain industry. As older siblings, we are looked up to, the ones all the others want to emulate. So, when we get Inclusion right, they’re watching, and suddenly our advances are so much bigger than just J.B. Hunt. Suddenly, we’ve transformed the entire industry for the better.

Nothing squishy there.

2. Inclusion really does benefit everyone…

I’ve often heard that Inclusion only benefits minority groups. That if we give more of the pie to a certain group of people, that means another group gets less of the pie. That might be true if Inclusion was anything like dessert, but Inclusion isn’t as simple as give and take. I think of Inclusion more like a domino train. If I improve the experience of one individual, that individual will improve the experience of another, and then another, and so on and so forth until every domino has been touched into infinity.

At the most basic level, the reality is, Inclusion encourages more #diverse interest and participation in our organization- more diverse people want to come and work for us. And by diverse I’m not just talking about race and gender. I’m also talking about different socio-economic backgrounds, different cultures, different educations, different experiences, different beliefs, different values. All those differing perspectives build teams that innovate faster and problem solve quicker- simply because there are more points of view considering the problem.

What happens when J.B. Hunt innovates faster and problem solves quicker than our competitors? J.B. Hunt profits. And what happens when J.B. Hunt profits? Every single person that is connected to that yellow and black scroll benefits.

3. Inclusion shouldn’t be intimidating…

More often than not, people tell me “I don’t want to offend someone” when I ask them what concerns them about Inclusion work. So many well-meaning #allies want to support their coworkers, they just don’t know the best way to do so. They think because they aren’t “Inclusion experts” that they shouldn’t use their voice because they might mess up. Well, let me tell you a little secret; no one is an Inclusion expert.

Everyone misspeaks or makes mistakes in this area. Everyone. Myself very much included. The trick is, being willing to listen, learn, and adjust when you do.

That old quote “It’s better to try and fail than fail to try” very much applies here. Don’t let fear of error keep you from learning and thus welcoming, supporting, and embracing those around you. Especially if you’re a leader or want to be a leader. Inclusion takes bravery.

4. “I can’t be myself…”

The very nature of Inclusion suggests that we want all people to be able to show up to work as their #authenticself and feel like they belong here. True, but it’s not quite as simple as that, is it? If your authentic self likes to name-call, ridicule, or just generally be a jerk to others, that self definitely needs to stay home. The truth is, your authentic self has to agree with one fundamental and essential value: respect.

Respect is the single unifying principle that binds all of us under the #scroll . Respect for others’ opinions, feelings, beliefs, identities, values. It doesn’t mean we all agree or share the same thoughts, nor should we. It does mean we have a standard by which we treat one another, and it does mean that if you cannot demonstrate all tenants of respect with your peers, leaders, customers, carriers, and other J.B. Hunt personnel, then your place isn’t here helping us be bigger, stronger, and better…together.

5. I need you…

Try as I may, I can’t be successful without you. My performance and my accomplishments in Inclusion are entirely dependent upon all of you playing your individual role in this work. At every level and across every location, behind the wheel, under the hood, or on the screen, to build and sustain a culture where all people feel welcomed, valued, respected, safe, and heard, you have to do your part because let’s face it, I can’t be everywhere at once. You have to demonstrate respect at all times even when no one’s listening or looking and you have to help hold me accountable too because like I said, even I make mistakes.

So come this October when my performance review rolls back around, I’ll make sure all of you get a chance to help me fill in the self eval portion. :)