Inclusion refers to "the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)."1
Inclusion. In: Merriam-Webster.
While many companies state that they have inclusive practices and create inclusion efforts, the reality is that most company leaders don’t understand the terms used in inclusion efforts, nor currently how to use them. Being extremely real, who does? Only the people who express themselves should have to understand. Inclusion is really us as leaders accepting what and how people express themselves. Once we get past the need to understand everything that is not what we do, maybe we will actually be inclusive.
Time and time again we hear the terms “I have a friend like that” or “My (who is not like me) Friend” or “I am inclusive, I went to lunch with two of them yesterday.” Inclusivity is not a “we did it” type of action it is a going beyond the action and allowing that person to be themselves.
It’s not like trying a new dish and never doing so again. Just so you could announce to a crowded room that you did try it. Inclusion means ensuring that person doesn’t feel like an outsider in your company for organization. Period. A person should never feel uncomfortable bringing their real self to work or to an organization that they are a part of, especially an organization that they pay into, just like you do.
Understanding the Need for Inclusion
While it can feel daunting to become more aware of all the ways in which society fails at inclusion, of the most oppressed groups, that ability to recognize such gaps can be a big part of acting towards a change.
Just as the problematic status quo was developed over a long period of time, investing in inclusion will take a great deal of work, but it is well worth the effort. It would change the world in reality.
Remember the movie Mean girls, yes, "Mean Girls" is crude, profanity-heavy, and filled with sexual subject matter which may make it worrisome for parents and guardians. Ultimately, however, it's a realistic depiction of high school with a positive message about inclusion. Girls that realize what they were doing, when done to them was not the right approach in the first place, just because it made them look good to others.
Active Inclusion
Employees should take it upon themselves to start asking the right questions and learn more about each other, create meaningful dialogue with one another to learn about each of their differences as well as their commonalities.
A Siloed company will not prosper, and the turnover rate will destroy their profit if employees are not encouraged to engage in meaningful, invested active and inclusion with forward understanding of each other. It is most likely if companies do not encourage their employees to engage in such efforts they won’t be driven on their own. Remember, society is not taught to act on their own but the way the majority acts. It is also most likely that companies who don’t engage in Employee Inclusive Groups or discussions and sessions will be the company that is not around in years to come.
Here's some ways in which you can help to promote inclusion in your daily life:
Share your comments below and how you have included your peers and colleagues.
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