By Rohini Mukherji | @RohiniMJ
Rohini Mukherji shares the differences between diversity and inclusion and how communicators can move closer to true, beyond-the-brochure inclusion.
“Diversity is having a seat at the table. Inclusion is having a voice. And belonging is having that voice be heard.”
This is the powerful analogy that stood out as I read an interview with Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, the authors of No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work. I continually reflect on that idea when I consider the environments I find myself in – as a woman, as a full-time employee, and as an immigrant. For me, it reinforces the notion that the concepts of diversity and inclusion have long been lumped together into one category, when in fact they are quite distinct.
I believe that while Canada does excel when it comes to diversity – there is widespread positive sentiment around its social and economic benefits and we have the highest percentage of foreign-born citizens than any other G8 country – we don’t do well on the inclusion front. I suspect the same is true of workplaces across the country – and beyond.
Scoring high on diversity, but failing on inclusion
I had the chance to share (read: rant about) my feelings on diversity and true inclusion on an episode of The 4 am Report micro podcast, so feel free to click the link if listening is more your thing.
Here are my three key takeaways on the journey to inclusion:
- Diversity isn’t just an issue of gender, race or sexual orientation – Diversity goes well beyond visible differences. Work styles, invisible disabilities, lifestyles, and even the age-old morning vs. nocturnal people divide, all represent different forms of diversity we have to start considering to create truly inclusive workplaces. We need to broaden the scope of what we consider under the broad definition of diversity.
- Education is key – Over the past decade alone, we’ve changed the way we buy, learn and communicate, to keep up with the times. The same goes for inclusion. We have to adapt or risk going the way of the dinosaur. The encouraging part is that learning starts with curiosity. Taking the first step can be as simple as just asking questions.
- Inclusion is a strategy, not a tactic – Inclusion can’t be checked off a list with one or two small changes. To be a leader of change, it is important to review your workplace policies regularly, and evaluate when additional action needs to be taken to be reflective of the diversity within the organization.
It’s not all doom and gloom on the D&I front in Canada. Many organizations have started moving beyond mere equal opportunity HR compliance to a recognition that D&I is a strategic organizational and business priority and a strong contributor to organizational effectiveness.
The role of communicators
Let’s face it: as communicators, we’re generally a group of early adopters. We need to lead by example when it comes to true inclusion, beginning with the workplace. Inclusion is going to become the norm, not a differentiating quality of one company vs. the next. We need to build a culture of inclusion, which in turn will drive engagement, loyalty and business success.
Canada has taken an important step towards inclusion with the unveiling of the National Anti-Racism Strategy in June. I am curious to see how much we as a nation move the needle on true, beyond-the-brochure inclusion in the next five years.
By Cassandra Cleveland As a new mom and communications professional, returning to work after maternity leave brought a wave of mixed emotions. The excitement of rejoining the professional realm was tempered by the realization that the communications landscape had evolved during my time away, leaving me with a potential knowledge gap. Determined to bridge […] By Linda Bicho-Vachon I’ve always been a learner. In my former role, I completed my association’s certification program and stayed updated by attending industry seminars. The certification demonstrated that I had the skill and expertise to do my job and gave me confidence to grow my career. When I decided to transition to a […] By Prachi Shailendra As a communications professional who embarked on the Canadian journey in 2019 with over six years of international experience in corporate communications, I vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the local job market. I soon realized that for newcomers, success often hinges on more than just a polished […] By Andrea Walasek Dear Readers, It is a pleasure to introduce myself as the Editor-in-Chief of IABC/Toronto’s Communicator publication for 2023-2024. As a dedicated professional who has worked in Public Relations for over 19 years and a proud volunteer with IABC/Toronto, I am happy to bring you the Winter 2024 issue, focused on a topic […] By Matisse Hamel-Nelis Matisse Hamel-Nelis reminds us that IDEA are more than just buzzwords; they are vital principles that can transform the world of communications. In the ever-evolving world of communications, the principles IDEA are gaining increasing significance. When applied effectively, they help foster a more enriched, engaging and impactful communication environment – enhancing meaningful internal […]Return to the Fall 2019 Issue of Communicator
READ MORE
Navigating the return to work: A new mom’s journey into communications upskilling
Up your game by Upskilling
New immigrant jobseeker? What’s your strategy to success?
Letter from the Editor
The IDEA Framework: Enhancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility in the Communications Profession