Culture Eats Diversity for Breakfast: Examining the Importance of Inclusion in the Workplace

Culture Eats Diversity for Breakfast: Examining the Importance of Inclusion in the Workplace

In today’s society, diversity is a topic that is being widely discussed. Many organizations and leaders make efforts to create diverse teams, but it’s clear that simply having diverse employees is not enough to gain the advantages of diversity. It is critical for organizations to create an inclusive environment that values and honours differences instead of limiting the experiences and contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In essence, Culture eats diversity for breakfast.

In recent times, many companies have made strides to increase diversity within their workforces, but cultural issues and biases often hinder success. As people, we all tend to see the world through our own lens and interpret behaviours and actions based on our experiences. If we do not challenge these interpretations, we may inadvertently create an unwelcoming environment for certain individuals.

Companies must work towards creating an inclusive environment through promoting and actively practicing diversity and inclusion. In such a culture, there is a shared understanding among the employees, an attitude of respect for one another, a sincere desire to learn and inquire about others’ perspectives, as well as an openness to new ideas and methods of doing things.

A key benefit of inclusion is the ability to tap into a wider range of experiences, perspectives, and talents. By creating an inclusive environment that harnesses the unique strengths of every employee, there can be a broad range of innovative ideas and approaches.

It is equally critical to understand that inclusion should not only be applied to people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds but should equally be extended to those with different educational, socio-economic or career backgrounds. This can help overcome preconceived notions and cultural biases, creating a more positive work environment that respects the unique strengths and contributions of every employee.

In summary, creating an inclusive environment involves the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. This means actively promoting and adopting policies that respect and honor the differences among employees. Companies that embrace employee diversity and promote equality of all employees are more resilient and capable of managing change and challenges, ultimately creating a positive culture where people enjoy working. We must understand that culture eats diversity for breakfast, and it’s about time we put an end to that phenomenon.