Never has the topic of diversity been so important for the sustainability of the global community.
We all know the Internet has made it nearly impossible to remain isolated in micro worlds and uninfluenced by the thoughts of others in your immediate circle and way beyond it. Social media has put people – irrespective of economic, social and political status – in an equal playing field with an open microphone.
So, I bow down to social media for (among other things) finally giving everyone an equal platform and a voice. It brings an anonymity that serves as a shield from those who are too quick to judge, and overall makes everyone part of one community where opinions matter, diversity of thought is welcomed, and people agree to disagree.
As a result, many companies, particularly multinationals, are in a frenzy to change the culture to one that is “diverse and inclusive” and countries are once again trying to tackle the challenges that persist outside of the smartphones and computers. Diversity has become an important currency in today’s society, allowing companies to continue to innovate and expand, and countries to build allies and prosper.
But what exactly is diversity? In a CNN interview, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak described the journey of diversity as follows: “Basic minimum is tolerance. Then from tolerance you move to acceptance. That’s the next level. Then the apex of it all is if you can celebrate diversity.”
I agree, but I am adding ENGAGE to this journey – identifying the influencers and amplifiers across the spectrum and engaging them at all relevant levels.
The most (over)used terms associated with diversity are integration, acculturation, assimilation, and inclusion. Engagement is the new term when describing diversity ambitions. People, whether in the form of “talent” for companies or “citizens” for nations, and their ability to effectively engage with one another (physically and virtually) is at the heart of diversity.
