Diversity: It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become. 18 September 2020
Time for some reflection… It has been just under 3 years since our Diversity Day Conference in October 2017. How the world has changed since the COVID Pandemic hit us. The ClarkHouse Diversity Day Conference was one of the first of its kind - an explosion of knowledge where we pulled together a world class group of local and international speakers to unpack the Science of Diversity. Every speaker and every panelist laid the foundation to understanding the true Science of Diversity - what works and what doesn’t. The speakers debunked the myths around Culture, Innovation, Leadership, Transformation and Inclusion - all key expressions in the Science of Diversity Equation. They delved into the true nature of Diversity, but more importantly how Diversity can really equip organisations in this new world of work.
Today the diversity discussion is more important than ever. The age of digital disruption in a COVID world has taken the focus off true Diversity Strategies. Most Diversity and Inclusion initiatives do not reach full potential and are seen as a compliance tick box exercises in most Corporates. The current global environment has amplified the need for more intentional conversations (for example BLM) in safe spaces where people are equipped with the tools to have courageous, often uncomfortable conversations. We need to build platforms for authentic personal engagements and get into the arena of life. The world is more connected than ever, but yet further apart. This needs to change. To quote Brene’ Brown from her book Braving the Wilderness “If we are going to change what is happening in a meaningful way, we are going to need to intentionally be with people who are different from us. We are going to have to sign up, join in, and take a seat at the table. We’re going to have to learn how to listen, have hard conversations, look for joy, share pain, and be more curious than defensive, all while seeking moments of togetherness”.
I am proud to say that this was not just another conference 3 years ago, but this was a calling. A calling to push the boundaries in Diversity and Inclusivity thinking. A calling we continue to push today in learnings around Leadership, Culture, Race and Privilege, Unconscious Bias, Vulnerability and all aspects of Transformation. (Race, gender, generational, LGBTQIA and disabled). Our world class Diversity initiative workshops have grown from strength to strength.
So to end, ClarkHouse Human Capital will never end this journey and we will continue to drive our Science of Diversity Initiatives. In the words of Dr Seuss “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.”
Don’t just think Diversity ‘is’! Make it what it ‘can become’! Unleash your organisation’s superpower. Speak to us on how we can add chemistry to your Diversity Strategies through our Diversity roadmap to guide your Diversity journey. This can be done via keynotes, virtual or physical panel discussions and workshops that are delivered with a trademark style that combines the latest research, lived experiences and deep insights and tools to ensure real learning and understanding the WHY!
