The Truth on Diversity & Inclusion

The Struggle with Diversity & Inclusion

If you work in the business world, you will hear all the time, just how important diversity and inclusion is. But we see very little diversity, inclusion, or change in the upper level management/leaders (inclusive of women in leadership). Further, many CEO's list D&I as important, but do not know how it is tied directly to business outcomes/objectives. These notions, drove my thoughts around, how many times do we actively stop and think - "what does all of that mean?" What does success look like for D&I? At the core, what is diversity and inclusion anyway? 

Where I believe we struggle with this concept is the foundational acceptance. Why? It seems as though we have to accept some fundamental truths about D&I, and develop organizational health from that point:

1. Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to owning every aspect of their own personal truth. Acceptance, not agreement, of all beliefs is what inclusion means. This is inclusion.
2. We all have a varying perspectives on the world based on our experiences and how we interpret those experiences. This is diversity.
3. Both 1 & 2 are needed to grow and develop an innovation culture.

The things we say, the things we do, the things we don't say and the things we don't do, drive who we are and what we accept. This is a part of human nature - since we started walking this planet. The understanding that due to Nature and Nurture, the 1 world we all share is uniquely different to all of us. But as it applies to organizational culture, the foundation of an organizations health will ultimately drive the outcomes of any diversity and inclusion initiative.

"The Success of the Intervention Depends on the Interior Condition of the Intervener." FSG 

If you cannot address organizational culture, you cannot address D&I. As for the individual, it starts with you. Be the person that is bold for change: the person who truly accepts everyone, but may not agree with everyone. Not just the people who look, feel, act, agree, and uniquely perceive the world similarly to you - but also those who uniquely do not. 

What is www.DuvetToDesk.com - Innovative | Intentional | Thoughtful | Curious | Productive... I’m a wild mind with a fire in my soul and a passion for life. The world according to The Professional Gal.