5 AUGUST 2021
BUSINESS CAPABILITY WORKSHOP
Samantha Patel CPsychol
“How do we make sure we’re giving everyone a ‘proper’ fair go?”
Diversity, equity, and inclusion can be an uncomfortable topic because it means acknowledging racism, bias (conscious or unconscious) and prejudice. Samantha encouraged guests to observe their thoughts, recognise any discomfort, and then understand what is explicitly causing that discomfort.
Equity is not the same as equality. Sam gave an example. Equality would be giving the same bicycle to people of different physical abilities, heights, fitness levels, and competence. Equity would be providing a bike appropriate to the individual – the proper size or adapted to suit their needs. This same principle could be used, for example, on job application forms. Blanking out sections such as name and age could remove discrimination against race or gender.
This was an interactive workshop, so everyone was invited to stand up, form a straight line, and respond to statements, including: “If English is your first language, take one step forward.” “If you were ever made fun of or bullied for something you could not change, take one step back.” “If you were ever discouraged from an activity because of race, class, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation, take one step back.” “If someone has ever spoken for you, take one step back.” “If you are never asked to speak on behalf of a group of people who share an identity with you, take one step forward.”
This exercise challenged widely held everyday assumptions and clearly gave participants cause to reflect.
When striving for DE&I in our own businesses, we have to start as we mean to go on. It’s not enough to simply have a “cultural advisor” on a recruitment panel. What is the intent of having them there, and what are we hoping to achieve? If we’re not careful, it’s just a tick box exercise and, as Sam puts it: “You hit the target but miss the point.”
Diversity is about difference that matters – and this means acknowledging and addressing the issues that can cause disparities. Sam referenced the work of psychologist Daniel Kahneman who talks about the two brain systems. System 1 is fast, effortless, implicit, and without self-awareness. System 2 is logical and sceptical, deliberately controlled, and specific. “System 1 runs the show. That’s the one you want to move.” (Kahneman, 2012)
In summary – and to answer Sam’s first question – to facilitate meaningful change, we need to:
- Be aware
- Question ourselves and others
- Create genuinely inclusive practices
- Create a supportive dialogue
- Take action
Click here to view the event’s photos.
