Why should you care about diversity and inclusion in your workplace? 

It's actually quite simple: we work better when we value and leverage each other's differences. 

Many of us have been raised to believe that what is different about us separates us but, the truth is our differences are our greatest asset. No matter what environment you work in, your organization is stronger when it is more diverse. Staff retention is higher on a diverse team, communication is better in a diverse team. Diversity increases productivity, creates a respectful workplace and helps in our responsiveness to global markets.

If you want to be a part of the next generation of leaders you must care about diversity and inclusion. If you want to be an earnest not arrogant leader, you must take the time to recognize your own biases, lay down your defense mechanisms and learn what you didn't already know. 

Take it from me, I have had to learn this in the most difficult of ways. I had to come face-to-face with my bias, hurting people that I care about. 

Many years ago someone felt I had marginalized, discriminated and racialized them. Through their tears, anger and frustration, I saw the pain that my unintended unconscious bias had caused and even though I knew in my heart of hearts I had not intended to marginalize them, the only words I could mutter were: I'm sorry. 

To this day, I have never seen or spoken to them again but they gave me the gift of perspective by forcing me to come face-to-face with the fact that my unconscious bias can create pain for others.

Since that experience, I've had to slow my actions, think far more before I speak and practice earnest apologies not coupled with excuses or defenses. 

To that person all those years ago, I still mean what I said that day: I'm sorry but today I add the words I’m grateful to you. . . thank you for standing up to me to share how I made you feel. It changed me and your actions saved countless others from feeling the sting of my bias.

Let us all take note that there is much to learn and know about how our conscious and unconscious biases affect others. 

On the journey to doing better, 

(a.k.a. The Feisty PM)