Diversity and the Power in Our Experiences
iEmpower_satx
Inspiring women to BE empowered and engaged, while fostering a culture of community. Join the movement!
Expanding on the prior blog post about the influence of community and experiences, Kathleen Buse et al., in "The Influence of Board Diversity, Board Diversity Policies and Practices, and Board Inclusion Behaviors on Nonprofit Governance Practices" (2014), explore the impact of board diversity on effective governance. They reveal that board governance benefits from diverse memberships, but this effect is maximized only when inclusion behaviors, policies, and practices are in place to enable diverse voices to contribute. Experiences shape our perspectives, affecting interactions and board dynamics, underscoring the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion.
Can you recall instances where workplaces should or already implement these findings? How can you drive change to encourage more organizations to adopt such practices?
Understanding our own identities, contributions, and lessons from experiences is vital. Equally crucial is building connections with individuals and communities with differing identities and experiences. Ultimately, the emphasis should be on the value of our unique experiences rather than mere labels.
As we conclude, reflect on your interpretation of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recognize the strength within experiences—do any stand out for you? How does iEmpower prioritize everyone's unique journeys? Consider how diversity and the power of experiences contribute to women's advancement, emphasizing the significance of inclusion and empowerment.
Buse, Kathleen & Bernstein, Ruth & Bilimoria, Diana. (2014). The Influence of Board Diversity, Board Diversity Policies and Practices, and Board Inclusion Behaviors on Nonprofit Governance Practices. Journal of Business Ethics. 133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2352-z.