10 Leadership Commitments That Transform Culture: What Men for Inclusion Workshops Reveal

At the conclusion of every Men for Inclusion workshop, I pose a pivotal question: “So… what are you actually going to change?” This moment has become my favorite, as participants pause, reflect and make commitments that truly matter. Importantly, these are not mere promises; through the program, we hold individuals accountable, and they consistently follow through.

Here are the top 10 commitments leaders express they will make:

1️⃣ I’m going to listen first, really listen and hear everyone else before I jump in.
2️⃣ I’ll reach out more, especially to the people who feel least connected.
3️⃣ I’ll own my mistakes and share them, because that’s how trust is built.
4️⃣ I’ll ask someone on my team to hold me to account, even when it’s uncomfortable.
5️⃣ I’ll make sure opportunities and “glue work” are shared fairly, no more defaulting to the same people.
6️⃣ I’ll actively support our inclusion initiatives, not just nod from the sidelines.
7️⃣ I’ll recognize and respect lived experiences different from my own and lead with empathy.
8️⃣ I’ll make inclusion part of how I lead every single day, not a side project.
9️⃣ I’ll measure how inclusive I really am, not just how inclusive I think I am.
🔟 And I’ll keep learning because none of us ever get to declare we’ve “arrived.”

These commitments are honest and human. When leaders follow through, teams feel the impact. Cultures transform. People thrive. Leaders thrive. Businesses thrive.