Week 32: Compassion - No About Us Without Us
Joyce Aiko McCulloch
Inclusion and Diversity Strategist / Inclusive Leadership Development / Speaker / Facilitator
Welcome to week 32 of Love is True Intelligence. This week we return to the theme of Compassion to examine how compassion and inclusion are intertwined.
Having worked in large corporations for three decades, I’d like to think that nothing would surprise me anymore. Surprisingly, what surprised me this week is how many organizations continue to say that their front-line teams are their most important asset, yet all the planning for making the workplace more engaging starts with the executive team.
My experience over the years has too many examples of the folly of designing solutions and interventions without the participation of those impacted. Many organizations talk about the importance of humility, authenticity, and compassion yet neglect to include inclusion. Without inclusion, while the intent is positive, the likelihood of a successful impact is marginal at best.
The first time I heard the chant, “There is no about us without us!” was at a DisabilityIn Conference. The message? To create accessible spaces and design, you must involve the community you are building and designing for. It seems so obvious, yet it is uncommon. Why? Perhaps hubris. Perhaps ignorance. Perhaps laziness. I hope it is ignorance – as that is the easiest to address.
Compassion is taking action to understand and alleviate suffering. To alleviate suffering, we must understand that suffering. To understand that suffering, we must listen, not assume, and ask questions to learn.
When I was preparing for surgery and radiation a few years ago, someone I worked with made assumptions and decisions about what support I might need without asking me. I know they thought they were being compassionate. Yet, that decision did not help me and actually had a negative impact. There was an about me without me. It didn't work. Inclusion is integral to compassion.
We all have opportunities to be inclusive when designing solutions. There is no about you without you.
This week, consciously involve others in solutions about their work and lives. Inclusion is required for compassion – this is love as true intelligence.
Please share your experience to inspire others.
Ai – Love is True Intelligence
Ai, pronounced "eye," is the Chinese and Japanese word for deep, all-encompassing love.