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SHE Conference

A New Approach to Inclusive Leadership Training

In the field of inclusive leadership, Dr. Anthony Giannoumis has carved out a unique space for himself as an innovator and thought leader. With a background that spans computer programming, opera, academia, and comedy, Dr. Giannoumis has developed an exciting approach to diversity and inclusion training. As the co-creator of the Inclusion Game, he offers an engaging, gamified experience that resonates with business leaders and employees alike.


In this interview, Dr. Giannoumis shares insights into the inspiration behind the Inclusion Game, its structure, and its impact on fostering inclusive workplaces.


A demonstration of The Inclusion Game will be available to all SHE Conference 2025 ticket holders, but there are limited spaces so registration is required. The workshop will be co-facilitated by Dr. Giannoumis and Sumita Kunashakaran. We will also be welcoming Dr. Giannoumis to the main stage as a keynote speaker.


The inspiration behind the Inclusion Game


"Games have always been a huge part of my life," Dr. Giannoumis explains, recounting his early teaching days. “I learned that introducing play into difficult tasks makes them much more manageable. When it came to inclusion, I knew we had to take a similar approach—make it fun and engaging instead of something that felt forced.”



The Inclusion Game was created to address a fundamental challenge: traditional inclusion training fails to engage the people who need it the most. As Dr. Giannoumis points out,


“Executives, who make high-stakes decisions every day, aren’t going to sit through a lecture on inclusion. They need something that speaks to them on their level. That’s where the game comes in. We use competition, something executives thrive on, to make inclusion relevant.”

Instead of focusing on preaching inclusion, the game immerses participants in a business simulation, where their success hinges on how inclusive their decisions are. "The key is that they don’t know they’re being tested on inclusivity until later. By then, they’ve already made inclusive choices without realizing it."


How the Inclusion Game works


At its core, the Inclusion Game engages participants by giving them real-world scenarios that challenge their decision-making. “We hand participants a business profile,” Dr. Giannoumis explains. “It’s a startup with a few flaws, and they have to make strategic decisions over multiple rounds. What they don’t know is that each decision is scored based on its inclusivity.”


The competitive nature of the game is what hooks participants. "Executives love to compete," says Dr. Giannoumis. “So, we create an environment where their best decisions are also their most inclusive ones. They’re not focused on doing the ‘right thing’—they’re focused on winning. And that’s exactly the point.”



A whimsical twist comes in the form of the red thread mystery. “We tell them there’s a hidden thread that connects their decisions, and they have to figure it out. It keeps them engaged and curious. When we reveal that the red thread is inclusion, it usually comes as a surprise.”


Why inclusion matters in the workplace


"Inclusion isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s essential for business success," Dr. Giannoumis emphasizes. “The data is clear: companies that prioritize inclusion are more profitable, innovative, and productive. But despite the overwhelming evidence, many leaders still don’t see how it applies to them.”


The Inclusion Game makes inclusion accessible by speaking to business leaders in a language they understand—performance. "We’re not asking them to care about inclusion for moral reasons," he says. "We’re showing them that it directly impacts their bottom line. Inclusion drives innovation, creativity, and better decision-making.”


By the end of the game, participants have experienced firsthand how inclusive practices lead to better business outcomes. "That’s the real breakthrough," Dr. Giannoumis adds. "They don’t just hear about it—they live it."



Key takeaways for participants


The Inclusion Game offers participants several powerful lessons that extend far beyond the workshop itself.


"One of the biggest surprises for participants is seeing how their unconscious biases come into play when they make decisions," Dr. Giannoumis shares. "The game gives them a safe space to explore these biases without judgment. That’s crucial for real growth."


Other key takeaways include:


Inclusion as a business strategy: "Participants walk away understanding that inclusivity is a competitive advantage. It’s not just good for morale—it’s good for business."


Challenging assumptions: "The game forces participants to question their assumptions. Many of them are surprised by how much their own biases influence their choices."


Collaboration and understanding: "The game creates opportunities for deep conversations that wouldn't happen in a typical workplace setting.” By the end, participants gain a better understanding of their colleagues’ perspectives, which is key for building truly inclusive teams."


Sparking curiosity: "One of my favorite outcomes is when participants leave with a sense of curiosity. They start asking more questions about inclusion in their own organizations and think critically about how they can apply what they've learned."


The impact of the Inclusion Game doesn’t end with the workshop. Participants often continue to reflect on their experiences, bringing their newfound awareness back to their teams and applying the lessons learned in real-world decision-making.


You can read more about Dr. Anthony Giannoumis on his website. Remember to get your SHE Conference 2025 early bird tickets before it is too late so that you don’t miss our workshops and the exciting stage program.

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