The Paradox of Diversity and Inclusion: Will We Ever Truly Reach Our Full Potential?

"We are not a melting pot, but a mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." - Jimmy Carter

Diversity and inclusion have become buzzwords in the modern business language. But achieving true equity in the workplace remains a daunting challenge. So, the question is: do diversity and inclusion have a limit?

"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness." - Ola Joseph

The purpose of the article is to spark a broader conversation about the complex and nuanced nature of diversity and inclusion and to encourage leaders, organizations, and communities to continue striving towards a more fair and inclusive society. As well as examine some of the key factors that contribute to the paradox of diversity and inclusion, such as unconscious bias, systemic inequality, and resistance to change.

"Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance." - Verna Myers

Why diversity and inclusion?

Besides being the key to innovation, productivity, and equity, it’s my opinion that there is also an ethical and moral aspect.?

It’s my opinion that we shall care about diversity and inclusion from an ethical and moral perspective, as we all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of our background or characteristics.?

Fostering diversity and inclusion is essential to creating a just, fair, and safe society where everyone can thrive.?

To me treating people fairly and providing equal opportunities is a basic principle of ethical behavior. I find it is important to recognize and value the differences that make individuals unique and to create an environment where everyone feels included and respected, also from a moral perspective.?

Therefore, it is also my opinion that we, from a leadership point of view, see it as our responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect. Every leader must create a society, whether it is one's team, department, organization, community, or society, where everyone can succeed and contribute to the community.

"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion." - Max de Pree

How come we talk about diversity and inclusion?

Diversity and inclusion are two concepts that are often used together but have distinct meanings.?

Diversity refers to the range of individual differences that exist among people, including differences in race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, previous history, and abilities.?

Inclusion refers to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can fully take part and feel valued.

Diversity and inclusion are important because they promote equality and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or characteristics, creating a safe and just space for humanity.?

When organizations and communities embrace diversity and inclusion, they can tap into the full range of talent and perspectives that exist among their members.?

The reason for this is the emerging complexity of the world. As the world becomes more interconnected, diverse, and complex, it is essential that leaders and organizations can understand and navigate the wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultures that exist.

Embracing diversity and inclusion helps leaders and organizations to build stronger relationships, create more innovative solutions, and foster greater empathy and understanding. This is important in a globalized world where people from different backgrounds and cultures are more likely to interact and collaborate.

In addition, the increasing complexity of the world has also highlighted the ongoing inequalities and injustices that exist based on characteristics such as religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. And this is no news, historically people have been excluded or marginalized based on their characteristics.

Diversity and inclusion are therefore essential concepts as it helps us to promote fairness and equality by ensuring that all individuals have access to the same opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances, reducing social inequalities and creating a more just society.

Second, diversity and inclusion can lead to increased innovation and creativity, as each of us, with our diverse backgrounds come together, activating our collective intelligence by bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table, that will generate new ideas and approaches to problem-solving.

Third, diversity and inclusion will enhance the quality of decision-making, as we are more likely to consider a wider range of perspectives and ideas, when we include diverse backgrounds in the decision-making processes, leading to better outcomes.

So, why is it fair to treat a teacher disrespectfully because she was born in Russia, but has been living as a Danish citizen for the last 30 years? Why is it fair to pull over a guy and check his car and driving license nearly every day because his skin is dark? Why is it fair that a person with an old criminal record is constantly being excluded from employment? Why is it fair for a person to experience physical violence or hate crimes due to their sexual orientation?

"Diversity: the art of thinking independently together." - Malcolm Forbes

Do we stigmatize due to our unconscious bias?

Stigmatizing is attaching negative labels to people based on their characteristics, behaviors, or circumstances, leading to discrimination, marginalization, and social exclusion. Such stigma reinforces negative attitudes and beliefs, harms self-esteem, and limits opportunities.?

Unconscious biases are automatic, often unintentional stereotypes and attitudes that people hold towards certain groups based on their characteristics, leading to discrimination and stigmatization.?

Studies show that people are often unaware of their unconscious biases and how they impact their interactions with others. For example, someone might unconsciously assume that all women are emotional and irrational, or that men with dark skin, and a beard are Muslims and potential terrorists. Unconscious biases lead to discrimination, as we make judgments based on characteristics, rather than individual actions or merits.

"Diversity is the collective mixture of differences and similarities. Inclusion is the deliberate act of welcoming diversity and creating an environment where all different kinds of people can thrive and succeed." - Trudy Bourgeois

Should we blame systemic inequality?

Systemic inequality is a pervasive problem that arises from social structures, policies, and practices that perpetuates unequal access to opportunities, resources, and power to certain groups of people based on their social identities.

It creates negative stereotypes and biases that affect how people are perceived and treated, potentially damaging their sense of self and self-worth. People can become trapped in systemic inequality because it is deeply embedded in the social and economic systems of a society.?

For example, if certain groups lack access to quality education, jobs, and economic opportunities because of resource deprivation, they are more likely to remain in poverty and struggle to break free from this cycle. Social attitudes and stereotypes contribute to systemic inequality, leading to discrimination and exclusion based on certain factors.?

It reinforced these attitudes and stereotypes through cultural norms, media representation, and social interactions, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Systemic inequality traps people in a cycle of disadvantage and limits people's ability to achieve their full potential.

"We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring." - Catherine Pulsifer

Are we bound by resistance to change?

Despite being inevitable, we often meet change with resistance. This resistance can arise from various sources, such as fear of the unknown, lack of trust in change advocates, or a sense of loss of control or power.?

It's fueled by uncertainty and discomfort stemming from unfamiliarity with the situation or proposed changes, past negative experiences, or societal conditioning that promotes fear or mistrust of certain groups or ideas.?

The perceived threat to one's identity, values, or way of life may contribute to resistance and defensiveness. Ineffective communication or engagement from change advocates may exacerbate feelings of fear, mistrust, and powerlessness.?

By resisting change, we miss out on growth opportunities and perpetuate systemic inequality by maintaining the status quo. Therefore, we should embrace change and actively work towards creating more fair and inclusive systems.

Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together." - Jacqueline Woodson

What to do about it?

Should I, as a leader, be concerned about diversity and inclusion? Yes, because it’s all about psychological safety. Psychological safety is the belief that one can speak up, ask questions, and make mistakes without fear of negative consequences to their job security, status, or self-image.

In a diverse and inclusive workplace, we encourage employees to express themselves and bring their entire selves to work, including their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. When employees feel valued and respected for their unique contributions, they are more likely to feel psychologically safe and comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas openly.

In contrast, in an environment where diversity is not valued, employees may feel excluded or marginalized, leading to a lack of psychological safety. This can cause employees to feel hesitant to speak up or share their perspectives, leading to a loss of innovation and creativity.

Therefore, fostering diversity and inclusion is critical for promoting psychological safety in the workplace and creating an environment where all employees feel comfortable expressing themselves and contributing to the organization's success.

This means that a diverse and inclusive workplace will lead to better problem-solving and decision-making by bringing together a range of perspectives and experiences. This will ultimately lead to improved creativity and innovation, which will give companies a competitive edge.

Secondly, diversity and inclusion will improve employee morale and engagement. When employees feel that they are valued and included, they are more likely to feel invested in their work and committed to the organization's goals. This will lead to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and increased productivity.

Thirdly, a diverse and inclusive workplace will help organizations attract and retain top talent. In today's globalized and interconnected world, candidates are often looking for companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion. Organizations that fail to prioritize these values may struggle to attract and retain the best employees.

Finally, diversity and inclusion are simply the right things to do from an ethical and moral perspective. As leaders, it is important to create a workplace culture that values all employees and treats them with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, what they have done in the past, or any other characteristic. By doing so, leaders will create a more just, equitable and safe society while also reaping the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace.

We are not a melting pot, but a mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." - Jimmy Carter

How do I lead by example when it comes to diversity and inclusion?

Leading by example is a powerful way to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As a leader, your actions and behavior set the tone for the entire organization. When you prioritize diversity and inclusion, you create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work. In this chapter, we will explore strategies for leading by example and promoting diversity and inclusion in your organization. Consider the following initiatives:

Educate yourself

As a leader, it's important to educate yourself on diversity and inclusion issues. You can attend workshops, read books and articles, and participate in training programs.

Be open-minded?

Show a willingness to listen and learn from others who have different backgrounds and experiences than you do. Encourage others to share their perspectives, ideas, and concerns.

Set clear expectations?

Make it clear to your team that you expect them to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, past, or any other characteristic. Create a culture of inclusivity where everyone feels valued and supported.

Act?

Don't just talk about diversity and inclusion, take action to make it a reality in your workplace. Implement a diversity and inclusion policy, create employee resource groups, and establish a mentoring program.

Hold yourself and others accountable?

Set measurable goals and hold yourself and your team accountable for meeting them. Make sure that everyone is aware of the consequences of not meeting these goals.

Lead with empathy

Be empathetic to the experiences and challenges of others. Treat everyone with positive curiosity, kindness, and respect.

Celebrate diversity?

Recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences of your team. Encourage everyone to share their stories and learn from one another.