Most everyone has experienced that feeling of walking into a spot and somehow knowing you just don’t belong. It could be the looks you’re given or when the conversations all stop as you approach the counter.
But, the one place you shouldn’t feel this feeling is at work, every single day. Unfortunately, for many healthcare workers, this is the reality when they don’t feel reflected in the workplace makeup and culture.
Healthcare is deeply personal work. You’re holding people’s hands during their most vulnerable moments, delivering news that changes lives forever, and making split-second decisions that matter.
When your workplace truly embraces everyone, that care becomes even more powerful.
Stepping Away From Assumptions
Let’s be honest—we all have those moments where we catch ourselves making assumptions. Maybe you’ve assumed the young-looking person in scrubs is a student when they’re actually the attending physician.
Or perhaps you’ve spoken slower to someone with an accent, thinking you’re being helpful when you’re actually being condescending. These aren’t character flaws; they’re human tendencies.
The key to building inclusive healthcare workplaces begins with recognizing these moments and asking, “What just happened there?” Your patients and colleagues deserve better than your unconscious biases, and you’re capable of giving them that.
Lives Could Depend On Your Listening Skills
Your teammate, who always seems quiet in meetings, might have incredible insights she’s afraid to share. That colleague who keeps to himself during breaks might feel like he doesn’t fit in with the group. You won’t know unless you create space for these conversations.
Try this: Next time you’re grabbing coffee with a colleague, ask them how they’re really doing at work. Not just “Are you busy?” but “Do you feel heard here? Do you feel like you belong?” Their answers might surprise you.
It’s The Small Gestures That Can Mean The Most
You don’t need a complete organizational overhaul to start making a difference. Sometimes, the smallest changes create the biggest ripples:
- When you’re ordering lunch for the team, ask about dietary restrictions instead of assuming everyone eats the same foods
- Learn to pronounce your colleagues’ names correctly—and ask if you’re unsure
- Pay attention to who’s speaking up in meetings and who’s staying quiet
- Notice if the same people are always cleaning up after potlucks or staying late for extra shifts
These moments might seem insignificant, but they add up.
There Will Be Awkward Moments
You’re going to witness uncomfortable situations. Maybe it’s a colleague making a joke that lands wrong, or someone consistently mispronounces a teammate’s name, or assumptions being made about someone’s abilities based on their appearance.
These moments test who you really are. You can pretend you didn’t notice, or you can lean into the discomfort. “Hey, I don’t think that came out the way you intended” is often enough to start a meaningful conversation.
Your willingness to address these moments—kindly but directly—shows everyone that respect isn’t optional.
Make Your Mistakes Count
You’re going to mess up. You’ll mispronounce names, make incorrect assumptions, or say something that unintentionally hurts someone. The question isn’t whether you’ll make mistakes; it’s what you’ll do when you realize you’ve made them.
Own it. Apologize sincerely. Learn from it. Then do better. Your colleagues are watching how you handle these moments, and your response teaches them how to handle their own mistakes.
When everyone on your team feels valued and heard, they bring their best selves to work. When your workplace reflects the community you serve, you provide better care.
This work isn’t easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile in healthcare ever is.
