Diversity is Not a Product

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#Diversity is not a product that can be bought or sold. It is not an added on afterthought to be used as a bandaid to cover inequities in policies, practices, or culture of a workspace. Diversity is, in fact, an essential part of who we are as individuals and as a society, and more than ever, we need change-makers and leaders to actively value and cultivate its practice.

The concept of diversity in the workspace encompasses many different elements and is often discussed as part of the larger #DEI (diversity, #equity, #inclusion). Diversity, simply includes: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability. Our lived experiences as differing combinations of each of these elements make us unique and enriches our lives and communities. Awareness sessions about these different groups are an essential first step. It is then up to leaders to acknowledge and address the systemic barriers and biases preventing some groups from fully participating in the day to day activities and successes of workspaces.

Real diversity and inclusion require a deep commitment by #leadership to making lasting changes in policies, practices, and culture. This includes hiring and promoting people from diverse backgrounds, providing equal opportunities and support, and successfully creating a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. Organizations that focus solely on the awareness aspect seem to hope that buying diversity training will create organizational diversity from the worker up. Positioning the worker as the change-maker while not addressing limiting systemic policies and practices, in fact, creates diversity failure from the leader down.

Ultimately, diversity is not a product. Diversity is a series of large and small actions that support the diverse aspects of our human experience reflected, promoted, and protected by organizational policies, practices, and culture. Diversity and inclusivity #leaders can and must work to create a world where everyone has the #opportunity and space to succeed and to truly reach their #fullestpotential regardless of their background or identity.