Encourage all employees to contribute equally in meetings – #BeyondBias 8/20

As part of its BeyondBias campaign, CEC European Managers is sharing practical strategies for embedding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in managerial practices.

The eighth recommendation in the BeyondBias series is both simple and powerful: Encourage all employees to contribute equally in meetings.

Go to the BeyondBias campaign here [+]

The Manager’s Role in Inclusive Dialogue

Meetings are the nerve centers of decision-making and collaboration in most organisations. They are where ideas are exchanged, strategies are born, and challenges are tackled collectively. However, without intentional facilitation, meetings can become echo chambers dominated by a few voices, leaving others unheard – often unintentionally.

Download the 20 recommendations here [+]

That’s where managers come in. By actively encouraging all employees to contribute, leaders and managers can foster an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

This doesn’t just ensure fairer participation – it also enriches the quality of discussions by incorporating a broader range of perspectives.

Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones—but only when that diversity is activated. To welcome diversity, an overall non-biased management approach should be established.

This means creating the psychological safety and structural conditions that allow every team member to speak up, challenge assumptions, and offer new ideas. Equal participation is key to unlocking this potential.

CEC European Managers has been studying the effects of unconscious biases among leaders and has developed 20 practical recommendations to foster better leadership.

Encouraging equal contributions also helps combat unconscious bias – a key goal of the BeyondBias campaign.

Certain voices often go unheard due to systemic biases related to gender, age, race, or job seniority. Giving space to all contributors is not just equitable; it’s essential for effective leadership in diverse teams.

CEC European Managers, as a recognised European social partner works closely with the European Commission to influence social policy and industrial relations.

The campaign BeyondBias recognises that embracing DEI is not only the right thing to do – it also makes sound business sense.

Inclusive teams are more creative, more innovative, and better equipped to respond to complex challenges. By advocating for more inclusive meetings, CEC equips managers with practical tools to create environments where all voices are heard and valued.

A Call to Action for Managers

Encouraging equal contribution in meetings is not just about fairness. It is a leadership competency that empowers teams, improves decision-making, and builds a culture of trust and collaboration.

Managers across Europe are called to reflect on their own practices: Who is speaking in your meetings? Who is silent? And what might you be missing by not hearing from everyone?