T.R.U.E. Inclusion Blog

What is T.R.U.E. Inclusion?

What is true inclusion? Many organizations and academic institutions feign diversity, equity, and inclusion(DEI), or they have one of the three components. We are aware of the many benefits of DEI, innovation, reputational capitol, competitive edge, and increased profitability, but the aforementioned takes time, consistency, and commitment. In the mean time patience and strategy are virtues that need adoption. True inclusion is the commitment to making sure all persons feel like they are allowed to be their whole-selves and that their organization operates in a way that recognizes everyone. This means moving beyond talking and enacting policies and behaviors that obviate barriers to success for marginalized groups of people. It is creating an open organizational culture where all groups of people feel valued and respected and total understanding and respect for everyone is a principle by which everyone strives to achieve.

True inclusion is the goal but the path is riddled with challenges that organizations find hard to navigate. Most challenges stem from myths, a lack of planning, and miscommunication. One of the biggest myths is, if you promote and are diverse, then you are equitable and inclusive. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Diversity is about the types of personalities, skills, abilities, and culture that comes with individual experiences. Equity is about how you treat all groups of people and inclusion is whether or not your organization employs practices to make everyone feel like they are a part of the organizational fabric. Individuals should feel like they are seen and heard equally, and that they belong to an organization that cares about who they are. I believe that if you want to find the source of a problem, then you should include the source in your planning. First, gather data to help understand what areas need the most attention and then start with those areas. Ask your employees or students how they feel and what solutions they suggest. Last but not least, establish your organization as a safe space where everyone is learning together, no group should feel left out.

Effective communication is an integral part of the inclusive process. Learning how to communicate in a multicultural world isn’t easy but is more than worth it. Making those connections, learning about new cultures and ways of being helps you to become a well rounded human who can adapt to most any challenge in life. So please, join me in helping to remove the barriers in organizations that impede T.R.U.E. inclusion!