When Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano sent out a company-wide message reaffirming Marriott’s commitment to inclusion and putting people first, he likely didn’t expect what would happen next: more than 40,000 employees across the company wrote back to thank him.
This overwhelming response highlights the true impact of inclusive leadership at work: a powerful example of how leadership grounded in real values creates genuine connection and trust. In an interview with Fortune, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano explained how the company’s focus on people-first leadership helped build a strong culture of belonging.
In a time when trust in leadership can feel fragile, this moment shows something powerful: real leadership grounded in clear values can make people feel seen, heard, and valued at work. And when employees feel that way, they don’t stay silent. They speak up.
Inclusive Leadership That Sparks Belonging
At many companies, a CEO statement about diversity or inclusion can come across as just another corporate message. But Capuano’s note felt different to Marriott employees. Why? Because it matched what they already saw and experienced inside the company’s culture.
Capuano didn’t just talk about inclusion; he pointed to actions the company had taken, including a long-standing focus on hiring from within and offering growth opportunities to frontline workers. He emphasized a people-first approach that had guided Marriott’s business decisions even during challenging times.
That authenticity resonated. And it built trust.
In inclusive leadership, it’s not just about saying the right thing; it’s about making sure the words match the day-to-day experience. Capuano’s message wasn’t a momentary campaign; it reflected how Marriott operates, and employees knew it.
Why Employees Responded
Employee feedback doesn’t always come in the form of 40,000 thank-you emails. But when it does, it tells us something important about workplace belonging:
- People notice leadership decisions, especially when they align with company values
- Employees want to feel part of something bigger than their daily tasks
- Culture matters most in uncertain times, when change, stress, or economic pressures could easily pull a company’s focus elsewhere
Inclusive leadership at work helps make this possible. When leaders communicate transparently and act on what they say, employees feel it. And they respond not just with engagement, but with loyalty.
Company Culture in Action
Marriott’s story is one of the clearest company culture examples today. It shows that belonging isn’t built overnight or through one-off campaigns. It’s built through consistent signals from leadership over time; signals that tell employees:
- You are valued here
- Your growth matters
- We are invested in who you are, not just what you produce
Strong company cultures often grow from consistent examples of inclusive leadership at work, where employees experience trust, growth, and a deep sense of belonging every day.
Especially in today’s workplace, where remote work, economic shifts, and rising employee expectations have changed the game, leaders who can foster genuine belonging have a real advantage. It’s not just about being a good place to work. It’s about being a place where people want to stay and grow.
What Inclusive Leadership at Work Means for HR and Communications Leaders
For HR and communications leaders, Capuano’s story is a reminder: words matter, but only when they are backed by action.
If you want to strengthen workplace belonging at your company, start with these questions:
- Are our leadership messages backed by visible, real-world actions?
- Are we communicating in ways that feel authentic, not corporate?
- Are we inviting employee feedback and showing we’re listening?
Employee engagement isn’t created through one-off initiatives. It grows when employees consistently see that leadership decisions align with values they care about. Inclusive leadership plays a critical role in sustaining this sense of belonging over time.
Inclusive leadership at work means creating a culture where everyone feels valued.
Want to make inclusion a daily practice? Explore how our Diversity Calendar can support your DEI goals with insights, tools, and resources for lasting impact.