3 Factors to evaluate your Diversity & Inclusion Quotient at Surface Level

Happy Australia Day and Happy Republic Day to my Indian and Australian friends. These days bring focus on celebrating diverse cultures, backgrounds, nationalities living together and bringing some different or some common sets of beliefs and values to the land. We have so many festivals in India itself and now it makes more invigorating in Australia. I want to wish Chinese friends and colleagues 'Happy Chinese New Year' (29 Jan) in advance.

To give you about my diverse background: Diversity is in my blood as my parents came from different states in India; hence two different cultures and mindset. People who knows me well can vouch for my passion for diversity & inclusion. I am grateful to the greater good as my attraction towards diversity from childhood have shaped me to become better human being on every day basis.

I would like to share top 3 factors at Surface level & Core level which will help you to evaluate and improve your diversity & inclusion quotient:

At Surface level these 3 factors will show clearly what is your diversity & inclusion quotient and these gives you guide how to improve when we are moving towards being Global Human Being:

1.  Curiosity – How curious are you personally to know, understand and appreciate others as they are? Do you attend other cultures or nationality events other times if they are not held at office?

2.  Flexibility – How flexible are you to try different types of food, clothes, engage in different cultures, nationalities?

3.  Patience – How patient are you to listen to others who are different to your background? 

Being in mindset and human behavioural study and coaching space, I have been interacting, learning and helping people from many cultures which I absolutely love it - Maltese, Afghanis, Lebanese, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Nepalese and many more. I must share that I have found many commonalities and at the same time loved the differences to appreciate them as they are.

Small steps to do to increase your D & I quotient from my experie-

1.  Go to see Foreign film festivals - Once I went to see Korean short film festival, I enjoyed it as there were subtitles however I could relate with emotions in the movie too.

2.  Strike a conversation or may be say Hello to someone from different background - My husband always ask a question to me, how can you speak to anyone :) I smile and say smile is the least anyone can do.

3.  Learn few words in new language - may be how to say Hello and Have a good day!

In this journey of learning & building wisdom in human behaviour space, I believe that there are 3 common needs among all of us which may enhance your perspecti:

·     Love – We all have need to be loved

·     Belonging & Connection – We all have need to be belonged and connected

·     Appreciated – We all have need to be appreciated for who we are.

Do you think if you will embrace these beliefs in your mind then you will find ease and comfort in improving on your thinking towards Diversity & Inclusion?

Tomorrow I will share another layer of factors at core level to evaluate and which will help in enhancing your Diversity & Inclusion Quotient. Trust this helps. Would love to hear your views, comments & experience in this space.

Love & Trust,

K