Does your workplace have exclusive decor and symbols?

🤔 Think about the subtle messages you send through your decor

Your decor may unwittingly send a symbolic message about who belongs in your business – and who doesn’t. Take a critical eye to what’s on your walls and in your informal spaces through the lens of those who are different than you.

A few uninclusive symbols to watch out for:

Could your office space be mistaken for someone’s “man cave” complete with foosball table, Star Trek decor, provocative images of women and beanbag chairs?

Ever tried sitting on a beanbag chair in a skirt?

The stereotypically masculine decor is a powerful symbol of who your space is designed around.

And certain sexualized images of women have a double whammy effect of making the office feel like a boys’ space and making it seem women are there to be looked at rather than taken seriously.

Particularly if they’re primarily white males, this can be a poignant reminder to those on your team who look different that they’re unlikely to reach the upper echelons of leadership in your business.

It’s safest to choose a neutral theme for meeting room names. Or if you must name rooms after people you admire as a business, make sure these reflect the diversity you aspire to have in your business.

.     .     .

Is your workspace welcoming and enabling to all?

Your workspace has an important role to play in inclusion. Your physical environment sends a symbolic message about who belongs, and who doesn’t. Through thoughtful (and often inexpensive) tweaks to how you set up your space, you can make everyone feel welcome and cared for.

.     .     .