Who gets to make decisions? And how do those decisions get made? Finding ways to include more voices in the conversation will not only result in more cohesive team decisions but will enhance trust and foster a truly engaged workplace.

Entrepreneur and educator Piper Anderson identifies the factors that lead to imbalanced decision-making and provides the tools to make the process less exclusive. How do you ensure introverted employees can comfortably express their ideas? That marginalized voices aren’t overtaken by dominant ones? That structural inequities and unconscious biases are acknowledged? Anderson shares techniques to help guide inclusive conversations whether you’re a leader or an employee, so that the decision-making process is transparent and outcomes reflect the team’s goals.

Key takeaways:

• How to help amplify voices that aren’t normally heard
• Why clarity about roles and responsibilities is crucial to an equitable workplace culture
• How to handle dominant voices that try to control the conversation, and help your team reach consensus
• The importance of “divergent thinking” to a healthy decision-making process

Piper Anderson is an award-winning writer, educator, and cultural strategist. She is the founder of Create Forward, a social impact consultancy committed to designing experiences that advance equity and justice. She currently teaches at NYU’s Gallatin School.