Can Business Schools Bridge the Corporate Inclusion Gap?

What does it take to lead effectively in today's diverse business landscape? Gisele Marcus, Vice Dean at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, brings a refreshing perspective shaped by her extensive Fortune 500 experience at companies like Accenture and Johnson Controls.

The leadership skills needed today extend far beyond traditional business acumen. As Marcus explains, "Wherever I plant my feet, I want to be comfortable there and I want my colleagues to be comfortable there as well." This philosophy has guided her development of the "Leading Across Differences" course, which gives business students a competitive advantage as they enter workplaces that increasingly value inclusive leadership skills.

Drawing from research on belonging and performance, Marcus makes a compelling case that effective leadership requires understanding how to work with people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. "The common denominator is going to be people," she notes, explaining that when employees feel valued and included, "they will knock it out of the park for you as an organization."

The conversation takes an especially fascinating turn when discussing how younger generations are transforming workplace expectations. Unlike previous generations who primarily considered industry and income when choosing jobs, today's emerging workforce—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—demands environments where their unique contributions are recognized. They're "voting with their feet" against cultures that don't prioritize inclusion.

Perhaps most valuable is Marcus's insight into navigating the current political climate around DEI initiatives. She shares practical approaches for maintaining inclusive environments while being responsive to changing contexts. Her global perspective—teaching students from 29 different countries—reminds us that effective leadership must be culturally fluent, adapting approaches for different cultural contexts rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.

Connect with Gisele on LinkedIn or visit giselemarcus.com to learn more about her work on cultural fluency and inclusive leadership.

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