More, together: A palette of possibilities

When we work together, our individual efforts don’t just add up. In fact, they multiply. As I look at the latest number of pandemic cases, I see considerable improvement.

The steady improvement in the situation is proof of what we can achieve with singleness of purpose and unity in efforts. Our effort against the virus is global, and throughout the past 15 months, I have learned that no individual’s efforts alone could be as mighty as our collective one. However, each person's effort counts.

This holds true for most things in life. Last week, for example, marked the beginning of Pride Month.

It has taken us generations to achieve the progress we have today. Because all kinds of people make up our world, I believe that we should make our world kind for all people.

Today, we can proudly say that our world has become increasingly more diverse and inclusive, thanks to our collective understanding and efforts. Yet, there is more work to be done. How do we create a world where each individual can be who they are and be respected for it? We can begin with practicing some simple actions to make the world a more inclusive place.

1. Respect: Respect is the first step in the journey to inclusion, which includes awareness and empathy, and leads to inclusive leadership. It should apply to all, irrespective of where we come from, what we believe in or how we act - to me, it's more reflective of our own character than anyone else's. Being mindful of people's presence, opinions and aspirations, and being responsible and accountable for your own behaviour can be helpful starting points.
2. Acceptance: Ask yourself if you are being tolerant or truly welcoming. Openness to wholeheartedly accepting each others’ differences is the second step to creating a more diverse and inclusive world. Understand that we are all unique, be proud, and believe that our differences have the power to unite us for the better.
3. Care and support: Reflect on how much you try to build others up. Do you empower combined strengths, or do you think mainly about your individual capabilities? When we understand, support, and care for each other and go through challenges together, we can also create a more inclusive workplace.
4. Celebration: All good progress deserves celebration. As I always say, small wins in a long journey may not result in big impact right away, but they certainly give us immense hope to carry on, enjoy the experiences we encounter while we’re on the road, and ultimately feel a sense of accomplishment when we finally reach our destination. Our work in diversity and inclusion should also be the same. There will always be more to do, however, each little victory can together become building blocks to our collective success.

As we stand united in our effort against the pandemic, let’s also stand together in celebrating Pride Month, too. After all, it's only together - when we bring in all the colors on our palette, and mix them well - that we have a canvas full of endless possibilities.

#pride