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September 16, 2020
While diversity and inclusion travel in tandem, they are not the same. Understanding the difference is an important step in creating a workplace culture in which employees feel valued and respected. As part of an overarching strategy, diversity training and education, mentoring and allyship programs, and employee resource groups are among the ways to deepen employees’ understanding of D&I and its impact on individuals and the organization.
A diverse workplace has a mix of people with different characteristics, backgrounds and experiences. An inclusive workplace takes diversity to the next level by involving marginalized or underrepresented people in the organization’s operations and leadership.
A Harvard Business Review article, Diversity Doesn’t Stick Without Inclusion, explains the difference this way: “In the context of the workplace, diversity equals representation. Without inclusion, however, the crucial connections that attract diverse talent, encourage their participation, foster innovation, and lead to business growth won’t happen.”
A recent report from McKinsey & Company, Diversity Wins – How Inclusion Matters, identifies “the dynamics around inclusion” as a critical differentiator for companies. “Our evidence is that an emphasis on representation is not enough; employees need to feel and perceive equality and fairness of opportunity in their workplace. Companies that lead on diversity have taken bold steps to strengthen inclusion.”
Creating a more inclusive workplace culture involves making changes — in behaviors and decisions and in structures, processes and practices. Here are 6 strategies to drive inclusion in the workplace:
Diversity is about representation. Inclusion is about involvement and participation. Understanding the difference, why it’s important, and how to increase both diversity and inclusion can help shape a working environment in which everyone feels empowered (and no one feels left out) to contribute and participate fully in the organization’s success.
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nicholas.casciani