Inclusion: Welcome to the Table

Diversity and Inclusion

When companies implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, diversity is pushed really hard but inclusion falls by the wayside. There is a misconception that diversity automatically involves inclusion. Diversity and inclusion are two different things.

As we discussed in “Diversity – ‘Do or Do Not,’” diversity involves the recruitment and hiring of individuals from various backgrounds (i.e., race, gender, ethnic groups, physical abilities, cognitive abilities, and more) to create, support, and achieve organizational goals and strategies. Inclusion is making sure individuals feel that their contributions are appreciated, that they are supported by the organization, and welcomed in decision-making goals and strategies.

You may be saying that you have a diverse and inclusive culture. Do you really? Are you just diverse and not inclusive? What do I mean? Here is an example. It is Thanksgiving and you have invited Sally and John for the festivities. Before dinner, you all are talking and having a great time. It is time for dinner, you seat Sally and John at the children’s table while you sit at the adult’s table. By doing this, it seems that Sally and John are welcomed into the house but not at the adult’s table.

Before you get too deep into the example by saying maybe there is not enough room at the adult’s table. There is enough room if folks would scoot over and make room.

It is not enough to say, that you have a diverse organization and when you look at the decision-making body, everyone is a single gender, race, ability, etc. Are you making room at the table for all? If not, scoot over.

#diversityampinclusion #inclusion #leadership