Thoughts on Diversity
Diversity. It’s a great word when understood and used correctly. However, unfortunately it continues to be a word that is hijacked and overused and, as a result, has become associated with lip service policy and political correctness. Nonetheless, it is seen as one of the bedrocks of society rather than recognised as something that is similar to tolerance, understanding, acceptance, encouragement and nurturing.
Let us a start with a couple of questions. The answers themselves are secondary only to the message they convey as a whole.
Tea, Coffee or something else?
If Tea or Coffee, milk and sugar?
If sugar, how many?
Strong, weak or as it comes?
If something else, what?
So what does this tell us apart from how to populate a ‘brews list’? Diversity. Difference. We don’t all like the same thing. We may like similar things but our likes, dislikes, world views; they are different. Sometimes a little bit different, sometimes a lot different. Remember, as much as social media may have us believe, views and opinions do not have to be binary. They also change over time. Do you still hold the same opinions and world views that you did when you were 8? How about 16? Five years ago? Really think about it. There may be a few that have remained the same. One or two that have been instilled in you for whatever reason that are almost set in stone. However, I’m willing to bet that there are a few things that may have changed. Knowledge and experience, the life lessons we learn, those times when life turns round and you think ‘I’d not thought of it like that before’, can give you an invaluable opportunity to consider different perspectives. The reasons we like what we like can be linked to the the influences we felt during our formative years. Were your parents open minded, considerate of others thoughts and opinions or more firm in their beliefs? What about your Grandparents? What about YOU?
The thing is, change will only happen if you acknowledge diversity and not dismiss it. Like a parachute, a brain only works when it is open…
Sometimes it is easy to ignore what you do not agree with and even fear what you don’t understand. Within the workplace, if you are a leader or manager, it is your responsibility to know your people. If you do not know your people, you cannot lead them as individuals in a team. By knowing your people you will know that there is diversity in your team, and that diversity is not good or bad, better or worse, it is merely different.
Now, here is the bit that people misunderstand. Some think that diversity means aligning with differences and agreeing with them. That is simply not the case. It may be that some differences are acceptable to you but some are not. Remember we mentioned binary earlier on? Well, there is another way. Some people like their options to be black or white, right or left, tea or coffee, with a clear demarcation between them. But how about a bit of grey? Rather than being forced into ‘I agree with this and totally support this’ or ‘i disagree with this and totally opposed to it’ we can actually have a third option: ‘Not really something I agree with but I acknowledge your right to hold those opinions/views.’..or words to that effect.
Taking the stance of ‘If you are not for me then you are against me’ is divisive to it’s core. It is forcing an individual to pick a side even though they may not be heavily invested either way. But how about trying to understand and appreciate why others see things the way they do? Many things in life are not binary but by taking a more neutral stance we can develop both as individuals and as a society.
In summary: Diversity is difference in society. It is not good or bad, better or worse, it is just that; difference. By acknowledging difference it does not mean that you agree or disagree with it, support it or dismiss it; it just means that you recognise that difference and that, as much as it may not align with your own personal world views, it does not necessarily rail against it. Embracing true diversity is not forcing you to compromise your own integrity, it is helping us develop as individuals and as a society and allowing us all to acknowledge that we are not all the same…and that’s ok.
