Inclusive Leadership Framework to Promote a Climate for Participation

Tokenism and the exclusion of marginalized individuals can inhibit the development of new ideas and innovation in organizations. Using social justice theory to explore the case of female entrepreneurs, this chapter outlines the benefits to be realized via their inclusion in the workplace and presents a framework for fostering a climate that supports their full participation. This framework foregrounds the contribution of organizational characteristics as well as individual and behavioral factors which can work together to deliver more inclusive leadership and practices to advance women. The chapter concludes by considering the challenges and opportunities presented by the practical application of this approach.