Inclusivity Onboard

Does the feeling of being included on board by your colleagues make a difference?

Inclusivity is about ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate, feel respected, appreciated and be supported in their unique contributions.

Why it Matters? Inclusive environments onboard help build trust, improve team performance, and reduce conflicts, leading to a more harmonious and efficient working atmosphere. Different perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and well-rounded decisions. Onboard, this can be critical during emergencies or complex problem-solving. By fostering inclusivity, vessel operations can benefit from better team dynamics, higher morale, and improved safety standards. Inclusivity is not just a moral responsibility but also a strategic advantage in today’s interconnected maritime industry.

But how to achieve it?

In this article you will find practical tips to better understand how to achieve it.

Respect Differences

Acknowledge Diversity: Recognize cultural, gender, and religious differences among your crew members. Show genuine interest by asking respectful questions and learning about their traditions and backgrounds.
Avoid Stereotyping: Refrain from using discriminatory language or making assumptions about others. Challenge stereotypes if you hear them from others.
Be Open-Minded: Accept that not everyone thinks, works, or communicates the same way. Embrace different approaches and ideas.

Steps to Implement:

Create opportunities for cultural sharing, like themed dinners or storytelling sessions.
Establish a "zero tolerance" policy for discriminatory language or behavior and encourage reporting of any incidents.

Foster Open Communication

Encourage Dialogue: Provide a platform for everyone to share their ideas during meetings and informal interactions.
Practice Active Listening: Show that you value others’ input by listening without interrupting, maintaining eye contact, and asking clarifying questions.
Build Empathy: Try to understand challenges faced by your colleagues from their perspective, fosters trust and collaboration.

Steps to Implement:

Schedule regular team meetings where everyone has a chance to contribute.
Use anonymous suggestion boxes to make it easier for shy or reserved crew members to share their thoughts.

Promote Inclusive Team Building

Organize activities that help the team bond while ensuring they cater to different personality types and interests.

For Introverts:

Engage in one-on-one conversations to build trust.
Organize quieter activities like board games, trivia nights, or film screenings.
Respect personal limits and provide opt-out options for highly social events.

For Extroverts:

Actively invite quieter crew members to participate in activities.
Use your energy to create a welcoming atmosphere, balancing high-energy events with quieter ones.
Avoid dominating conversations or activities; instead, encourage equal participation.

Steps to Implement:

Plan a mix of activities, such as sports games, collaborative tasks, or creative workshops.
Pair team members from different backgrounds or personalities for group tasks to build mutual understanding.
Assign rotating roles during activities to ensure everyone gets a chance to lead and contribute.

Create an Inclusive Work Environment

Provide Equal Opportunities: Ensure that every crew member has access to resources, training, and promotions.
Be Mindful of Work Assignments: Distribute tasks fairly and avoid favoritism.
Accommodate Needs: Be aware of physical or emotional challenges your colleagues may face and adjust schedules or responsibilities accordingly.

Steps to Implement:

Conduct regular feedback sessions to understand how crew members feel about their roles and workloads.
Offer training on inclusivity and unconscious bias for all team members.
Celebrate milestones and successes as a team, recognizing contributions from everyone.

Lead by Example

Leadership plays a critical role in fostering inclusivity. Be the person who sets the tone for an inclusive culture onboard.

Steps to Implement:

Actively demonstrate respect, open communication, and fairness in your actions.
Address conflicts promptly and constructively to prevent misunderstandings from escalating.
Mentor new or junior crew members to help them integrate smoothly into the team.

Conclusion

Building inclusivity onboard is a shared responsibility. By respecting differences, encouraging open communication, promoting team-building, creating equal opportunities, and leading by example, you can foster an inclusive and cooperative environment. This not only enhances team performance but also ensures everyone feels valued and supported in their unique contributions. Remember, inclusivity is not a one-time effort but a continuous journey toward creating a harmonious and thriving workplace.

Author: Io Baltatzi