How Kiki Pursued Dignified Life by Inclusion and Diversity Drive!

One of the key differentiators in today's workplace scenario is how we connect with our colleagues. Sense of belonging not only makes our office an extended family but imparts a great sense of ownership as well.

As we know, June is the month celebrated worldwide for #inclusion & #diversity. I take pride in sharing an interesting anecdote.

This primary caters to women's back from sabbatical in leadership roles.

This story is about my cousin Chinky and her childhood friend Kiki. Both were bright students and close friends since grade 4th. They belonged to the era when having best friends was the eternal source of happiness.

From their lunch, picnics to day-to-day stories they use to share quite a lot about their lives. Secret no one still knows is that at times they cheated from each other booklets as well during their exams.

Chinky and Kiki were each other's world and shared deep platonic love. As rightly said time has wings, within no time they got busy in their graduation in different cities. However, always connected initially through letters, later through emails, and then through mobiles.

They experienced so many revolutions in their generation from a landline phone to smartphone's that made they even more connected. Sooner they landed in jobs after completing their masters. It was the time when trouble knocked at Kiki doorsteps. It was related to her parents who were pressurizing her for marriage.

She was not ready as she was just 25 then. Chinky happened to meet Kiki during that phase in the GK M block market, Delhi to hear her story. Kiki sadly revealed ever since her dad got posted to Mumbai while she was in grade 9th she could hardly focus on studies and got into depression. Somehow, she completed her master's with the college of not her choice.

She still regrets and confesses that she could hardly focus on her career due to her untreated depression for which she later consulted a counselor. While she was still on the road to recovery, she felt a little trapped to choose marriage. My cousin tried to help but her job was very demanding, and she had to move onsite to the USA.

Time passed, when Chinky connected with Kiki after a decade realized she got married but got divorced after 4 years of her marriage. She could hardly focus on her career and had a gap in her resume of 5 years.

 By then my cousin already reached a mid-level career. Chinky wanted to help Kiki as she got divorced on mutual consent without alimony. The worst part was Kiki was still relying on her parent's support.

 Nevertheless, thanks to the inclusion drive in Chinky's Fortune 500 corporate setup that acted as a savior and support for Kiki. When Chinky told her story to HR, they instantly decided to consider Kiki's candidature. As one of the core objectives of Inclusion and diversity was to bring back the women workforce on break or sabbatical.

 Now, all Kiki needed to do was stay prepared for her interview to the best of her knowledge.

 She put in all the hard work and efforts, and she got selected for the role of operations manager. Now after 5 years, both Chinki and Kiki are in the same organization in the leadership role and take great pride in the inclusion movement and leading a dignified life. By the way, I happen to work in the same organization as well.

 This is a small story that tells how initiatives like Inclusion and diversity can change someone's life.

 It may not just be limited to calling women on a break but largely embraces groups in minorities. LGBT is one such community that has got great support because of such movements. Many of my friends belong to this circle. Whenever we catch over the weekend, they cannot resist sharing their work-life balance and conducive work environment by inclusion and diversity moments in their company.

Furthermore, inclusion enables organizations to create a more productive workplace with great synergy.

Thanks to Lewis Griggs who coined the terms Inclusion and diversity in the early 1980s that has become a trend now. Most of the well-known companies have adopted it for all the good cause. It's a win-win situation. Furthermore, it invites moments of glory for every individual.

In the coming future, all ventures must embrace the culture of Inclusion and diversity for unparalleled scaling. Last but not the least, very proud to be associated with Guardian Life who has adopted inclusion in all spheres. It’s certainly a reason for the moment of pride to be in an environment that celebrates inclusion and diversity.