Practicing Inclusion: A Journey of CHANGE

CHANGE: Civility, Humility, Acceptance, Nonjudgmental, Gratitude, and Equity

Inclusion is more than just a buzzword; it’s a mindset, a practice, and a commitment. It’s about creating environments where everyone feels valued and heard. Unfortunately, too many in our society do not want to accept this. Their bitter attitudes and behaviors must CHANGE!

Inclusion is about civility, humility, acceptance, non-judgment, expressing gratitude, and ensuring equity.

Civility is the cornerstone of an inclusive environment. It’s about treating everyone with respect, regardless of background or beliefs. It’s about listening to others’ ideas, even when they differ from our own, and responding with kindness and understanding. Civility fosters a culture where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule or dismissal.

Humility, an essential aspect of inclusion, recognizes that we don’t have all the answers and can learn from others. It allows us to be open to new ideas and perspectives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. By acknowledging our mistakes and using them as opportunities to learn and improve, we can create an open-minded and receptive environment to new ideas.

At the heart of inclusion, Acceptance is about embracing diversity in all its forms—diversity of thought, experience, culture, and identity. It's about recognizing and valuing the unique contributions that everyone brings to the table. By creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, we can foster a sense of belonging and make everyone feel included and appreciated.

Being Nonjudgmental is crucial for practicing inclusion. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. It’s about understanding that everyone has a unique journey and that our differences strengthen us. Being nonjudgmental fosters a culture of empathy and understanding, where everyone feels accepted for who they are.

Gratitude plays a significant role in fostering inclusion. It’s about appreciating the unique contributions that everyone brings to the team. By recognizing the value of diversity and expressing gratitude for the different perspectives and ideas that enrich our work and our lives, we can foster a positive and inclusive culture where everyone feels appreciated and recognized for their contributions.

Equity is the goal of practicing inclusion. It’s about ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. It’s about recognizing and addressing systemic barriers that prevent certain groups from fully participating and contributing. Equity is about creating a level playing field where everyone has the chance to succeed.

Whether you use terminology that identifies practices like diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging or not, our human interconnectivity will eternally define how we respect and, yes, love one another to survive. We must put aside detrimentally biased and learned social behavior that prevents us from accepting people who are different from us racially, socially, culturally, or gender because they do not ‘fit’ our definitions.

Practicing inclusion is a journey, not a destination. As with any journey, it begins with the first step towards making an ongoing effort and commitment. It’s about fostering a culture of civility, humility, acceptance, and equity. It’s about being nonjudgmental and expressing gratitude for the diverse perspectives and contributions that enrich our work and lives.

By practicing inclusion, we can create environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential.

Let’s begin now to CHANGE!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to this newsletter. PASS IT ON!

Here is the link to my LinkedIn course, ‘Managing a Diverse Team,’ which is available in several languages.

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/managing-a-diverse-team/welcome?u=2125562