Sound Wisdom Blog
Transforming the Diversity Conversation…the Accountable Thing to Do by Sam Silverstein
Viewing people differently because of race, religion, gender, sexuality, physical attributes, ability, or personal style choices means you will always miss out on seeing their true potential. When leaders do this and/or enable others to do this, they not only make the workplace feel unsafe; they rob the people they lead of a more promising future…and they rob their organization of talent, ideas, and a better-looking bottom line. A leader can never lead a person to their true potential if that leader sees only superficial differences and false limitations.
How to Build a More Inclusive Workplace by Jennifer Janechek
Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us that the American dream is possible only insofar as every human being has an equal opportunity to find meaningful work. In his lesser-known speech to the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the AFL-CIO, given in December 1961, King says:
I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one, with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians, or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into realization the American Dream—a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed…. The dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of human personality—that is the dream.
While many companies today tout diversity as a hiring value, not all organizations support their diversity efforts by cultivating an inclusive workplace. Below are six important strategies for creating a more positive, equitable experience for employees.