Thoughts on Diversity and Inclusion on Martin Luther King Day
Deanna Burgart
Associate Dean Indigenous Inclusivity and Reconciliation | Associate Professor (Teaching) | Teaching Chair and Faculty Member - University of Calgary | Professional Speaker | Trainer | Indigeneer
I have spent the better part of a year and a half thinking about innovation, change management, and how to be a part of the evolution of the energy industry. I have conducted a great deal of research, including reading an amazing book titled "The Rainforest - The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley", by Victor Hwang and Greg Horowitz, and participated in multiple innovative ecosystems like Rainforest AB and the Energy Futures Lab. I have read, discussed and spoken on change management and the factors that are missing in the energy industry that are keeping us stagnant and frustrated.
What I have found through all these conversations with multiple demographics is that a culture that leads to innovation is a culture that leads to inclusion. So why are we so resistant to the concepts? Why are we resistant to the culture of openness, trust, reciprocity, fairness and different ideas? The reason may be in the last factor. We are hardwired to protect ourselves against the unknown. We are hardwired to gravitate to sameness - our tribe..."safety in numbers" - so to speak. But studies again and again show that it is through embracing differences in a trust based environment that we can find solutions we may never have uncovered before.
Recently I posted an article about a notable female Indigenous engineering student that is challenging and breaking down barriers. The first and only comment on this article basically asked if we are going to spend our energy on "social justice" engineering, who is going to do the actual engineering? This is not the first time I have heard the words "social justice" used in this context. My response is that we need more social perspectives in engineering, more humanity, more culture. For too long, technology and development has been myopic, siloed and ignorant of the interconnected, systemic and global impact of the work. Teams and "specialists" have engineered their specialties without regard for cumulative impact, social implications or long term asset management. Contrary to this, as engineers we take an oath to protect the public, society and the environment.
This is why we are seeing the changes in the regulatory regime here in Canada. Regulators are moving beyond perscriptive regulations and towards risk based, cumulative assessments.
How is the industry going to adjust and adapt to these evolving expectations? I believe the solution lies in an organizations culture, adaptability and openness to change. Creating a culture of innovation, thus a more inclusive culture, will truly be a catalyst to adaptation. On Martin Luther King day, I am thinking about diversity and inclusion beyond social justice and as the answer to our world's greatest challenges.
Empowered Innovation is a gamified workshop that invites participants to step out of their comfort zones and practice innovative behaviours as outlined in the Rainforest Scorecard and further defined by the Seven Sacred Indigenous Teachings:
- Love
- Respect
- Courage
- Honesty
- Wisdom
- Humility
- Truth
For more information on this three day workshop or it's introductory webinar, please contact:
Deanna Burgart
403 919 9366
Yvette Dubel
https://www.webantiphon.com/
Increasing the Peace within & Among People| Art-Based Transformation | Micro-Habits Mastery for Sustainable Growth
7 年Excellent insights, Deanna. I think you do a good job of underscoring why the present and future will challenge many professionals to see their roles in a larger context, as well as develop more complete understanding of impacts and outcomes. And for those who prefer moving forward with blinders on, the road ahead will only get more difficult to navigate.