19 October 2022

In this public lecture, Prof Elissa Perry considers a confronting issue. The demographic shifts across an increasingly global economy are creating unprecedented challenges for employers. Employee diversity can make organisations more innovative and profitable, but it can also increase conflict, lower cohesion and generate higher turnover. Inclusive leadership can make the difference, yet few line managers are prepared to manage a diverse workforce. Prof Perry discusses the impact of inclusive leadership on employee attitudes, behaviour, and performance – and the cumulative impact that inclusive leaders have in organisational contexts. She provides examples of the day-today behaviours and management practices that inclusive leaders use to support all employees. Additionally, she explains why this leadership style is particularly well-suited for managing diverse employees and leveraging diverse viewpoints to benefit employers.

 

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Elissa Perry is a Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA. Her research focuses on inclusive leadership, age discrimination, sexual harassment, and the impact of organisational racial and gender diversity on organisational outcomes. Prof Perry joins an exclusive group of UniSA Visiting Distinguished Thought Leaders. This designation is awarded to world-leading academic figures whose research has the capacity to make a tangible, strategic contribution for the benefit of UniSA.