Don't Entertain Me

I heard this audio clip this week that made me think. Here is what was said: "Cultural entertaining and hospitality are vastly different. Entertaining is about me. Hospitality is about you. We have to be willing to push past our ideals and perfectionism and say “You’re worth it to me. I care that you’re here.” - Phylicia Masonheimer

Here is what it made me think about: The difference between entertaining and hospitality is similar to the difference between companies touting diversity and people wanting inclusion.

Entertaining, as Masonheimer notes, is self-centric. It's about putting on a show, where the focus is on you as the host—your tastes, your home, your presentation. Translating this to a corporate context, it's the same as companies that tout diversity through visible metrics and checkboxes. These efforts, while they may improve statistical diversity, lack depth. They are like a well-set table that looks inviting but doesn't necessarily make guests feel at home or valued for their unique contributions. Like my grandmother's living room with the beautiful white couches with plastic covering them.

Hospitality, on the other hand, is about your guest. It's an outward-looking approach that says to them, "You matter to me. Your comfort, your presence, your experience are important." This is the essence of inclusion. It's not just about inviting diverse individuals into the room; it's about making sure they feel welcomed, valued, and understood. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels an innate sense of belonging. This is what my Belong Believe Begin Model? does.

Just as hospitality shifts the focus from the host to the guest, inclusion shifts the focus from the organization's image to the individuals' experiences within it. It’s about moving past the surface-level indicators of diversity to foster a culture where everyone feels genuinely valued and empowered to contribute.

Masonheimer mentions pushing past ideals and perfectionism in hospitality. In the context of inclusion, this means acknowledging and addressing biases, systemic inequalities, and imperfections in organizational culture. It's about creating safe spaces for dialogue, learning, and growth, rather than pretending to have all the answers.

Saying "You're worth it to me" in a hospitable setting translates to "You're valued" in an inclusive environment. It’s about recognizing and celebrating the unique perspectives and contributions each person brings to the table, moving beyond tokenism to meaningful engagement and empowerment.

To genuinely foster inclusion, parallel to hospitality, organizations and communities must take actionable steps. This could involve revising hiring practices, implementing inclusive policies, providing diversity and inclusion training, and actively seeking out and addressing feedback from underrepresented groups. It's about doing the work, behind the scenes and beyond the spotlight, to ensure that everyone not only has a seat at the table but also feels heard and respected.

The metaphor of entertaining versus hospitality beautifully encapsulates the difference between superficial diversity efforts and genuine inclusion. It's a reminder that true inclusion, like hospitality, requires intentionality, empathy, and a commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered. For Inclusive Spaces, this metaphor reinforces the importance of our mission and the transformative impact of our Belong Believe Begin Model? on fostering truly inclusive environments.

Humbly,

Jody McPhearson

Funnder & Chief Spacemaker

Inclusive Spaces