Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s a competitive advantage. When teams embrace diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive culture, they unlock innovation, build stronger relationships, and drive meaningful business results.

But here’s the challenge: Many organizations talk about D&I, but few make it a lived experience. So how do you move beyond policies and truly engage your team?

Here are 10 impactful Diversity & Inclusion activities to help your team bridge differences, build trust, and communicate more effectively across cultures.

1. Culture Swap Lunches

Encourage team members to bring a dish from their cultural background and share the story behind it. Food sparks conversations and helps teammates learn about different traditions in an organic, engaging way.

2. Bias Awareness Challenge

Host a session where employees take an implicit bias test (such as Harvard’s Implicit Association Test) and discuss their reflections. Understanding unconscious biases is the first step toward mitigating them.

3. The Culture of One™ Storytelling Exercise

Each team member shares a short story about a time they experienced a cultural misunderstanding or overcame a cross-cultural barrier. This fosters empathy and highlights the importance of effective cross-cultural communication.

4. Reverse Mentorship Program

Pair senior leaders with junior employees from diverse backgrounds. The goal? Leaders gain fresh perspectives, while junior employees feel valued and heard.

5. Pronoun & Name Awareness Training

Many employees hesitate to ask about preferred pronouns or struggle with unfamiliar names. A short workshop on inclusive language helps teams respect identities and create a welcoming environment.

6. Inclusive Decision-Making Roundtables

Before major decisions, host a roundtable discussion where diverse voices contribute their perspectives. This ensures inclusivity isn’t an afterthought but a core part of decision-making.

7. Global Communication Role-Play

Simulate real-life scenarios where communication styles differ across cultures. For example, how direct feedback is perceived in Japan vs. the U.S. or how hierarchy influences workplace interactions. This builds cultural agility and prevents miscommunication.

8. Accessibility & Inclusion Walkthrough

Have your team walk through your workplace (physical or virtual) from the perspective of someone with a disability. Are your spaces, materials, and digital content truly inclusive?

9. Cross-Cultural Book or Film Club

Choose books or films that explore different cultural experiences and discuss key takeaways as a team. This builds awareness and encourages open dialogue on important social issues.

10. Diversity & Inclusion Accountability Pledge

Each team member commits to one actionable step they’ll take to support D&I in their daily work. Whether it’s mentoring a colleague from a different background or speaking up in meetings to ensure all voices are heard—small actions lead to big change.

The Bottom Line: Make D&I More Than a Checklist

Diversity & Inclusion activities aren’t just about “checking the box.” They should be woven into the very fabric of your workplace culture. By implementing these activities, you empower your team to communicate effectively across differences, build trust, and create a more inclusive, high-performing work environment.

Are you ready to take your team’s cross-cultural communication to the next level? Let’s talk about how The Culture of One™ can help your organization thrive.