Like other powerful concepts, inclusion is often simplified as a dichotomy: Am I/Are we being inclusive or not? Yet, it's not that simple. For the purposes of this post, I'm going to focus in on in the intersection of inclusion and moments we feel challenged, that is where we're unsure how to respond and want to minimize reacting.
At a recent session I facilitated, we discussed how inclusion involves:
Creating an environment
Designing programs and activities
Bringing together a diversity of people who are respected, connected, and contributing
All of the above involve major doses of creativity, leadership, and patience. This is where, incorporating REiL Learning's 3 pro-active strategies, namely Rapport, Boundaries & Guidelines, and Flexibility can help. Let's look first at rapport as it pertains to inclusion.
Rapport:
How are we actively welcoming and valuing others? Note: valuing is not the same as "liking". Liking is a preferential choice we make with our friends. Rapport (and valuing) requires an ongoing commitment to continue to see the person as distinct from the behavior.
I define rapport as our interest and engagement with our students, colleagues, patrons, clients. Rapport lays the groundwork for being inclusive. If we do not engage rapport, the impact of our teaching/facilitation/leadership/you name it! is lessened.
Takes time, and sometimes a lot of patience. Acknowledging ourselves and being self-compassionate helps (See Dr. Kristin Neff's profound work around self-compassion)
2. Boundaries & Guidelines:
Help us practice self-care and model that for the children/youth & colleagues we work with
Support others in knowing what’s expected and that decreases anxiety and uncertainty
Delineate what works and what doesn’t – HERE
Increases our capacity to respond versus react which always strengthens inclusion
Support us in phasing out school suspensions and '3 strikes you're out' policies
3. Flexibility:
Flexibility supports us in listening and being open to new or different ideas
Supports us not get into power struggles which positively impacts inclusion
Helps us not get locked into “my way or the highway” thinking
To learn more about REiL Learning, visit www.REiLlearning.com
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