Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
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Why diversity and inclusion shouldn't be just passing fads
Background: The call for greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace is growing louder, often led by HR departments that have made this a top priority. Yet some executive teams dismiss it as a passing fad. But is that really justified?
Roeli: " People often talk about the diversity industry as if it were something temporary, a passing fad. But the key questions organizations need to ask themselves are: What does diversity and inclusion actually encompass? Why is diversity important in a company? What are the benefits? What are the driving forces? It is crucial that companies don’t just go with the flow because it’s expected, but that they truly reflect on why diversity and inclusion are important in the workplace. If an organization cannot provide a convincing answer to this, it may need to reconsider whether it is truly committed to inclusion."
Ikram: “You do indeed see that discomfort quite often. Some companies feel pressured to do something about diversity and inclusion in the workplace simply because the outside world expects it. Yet this ‘hype’ actually offers an opportunity to seriously reflect on your position as a company. It can serve as a catalyst to take real steps and spark internal discussion.”
Roeli: "I was recently at an organization where diversity and inclusion in the workplace weren’t really embraced. They weren’t quite sure why they wanted it, other than that it was expected of them. Sometimes companies use this discussion to stall and avoid having to make concrete plans. It then seems as though they’re only participating to polish up their image."
Ikram: "You do see that a lot. Some companies get involved because it’s expected of them, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. You can use this buzz to ask the right questions and truly make diversity and inclusion part of your business strategy. There are organizations that seriously address the ‘why’ question, integrate that answer into their strategy, and develop concrete plans based on it."
Roeli: "Exactly. Just because diversity and inclusion are getting a lot of attention right now doesn't mean they're any less important. The challenge is for organizations to take the value behind this trend seriously."
Ikram: " It's similar to sustainability. That's often seen as just a fad, too, but the underlying issues are incredibly urgent. The hype is actually prompting people to really think about it and making organizations realize that they're missing something."
Roeli: " Sometimes change has to start as a trend to build momentum. The fact that diversity and inclusion are receiving so much attention right now shows that more companies are becoming aware of the issue and are actively addressing it. I see this awareness growing especially in the public sector—for example, when organizations ask themselves why they have such a homogeneous team despite being located in a diverse neighborhood. The trend helps to raise that awareness."
Ikram: "That's why the current buzz around diversity and inclusion in the workplace is encouraging. Let's ride this wave to make real progress!"
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are more than just passing trends; they are essential to a sustainable business strategy. Answering the question, “Why is diversity important in a company?” should form the foundation of any serious inclusion policy.
