How to Embrace Diversity and Inclusion on a Personal Level
As humans we tend to gravitate towards others like us. It’s a vestige of how we evolved as tribal hunters and gatherers, but today we live in an incredibly diverse world. When we’re at our worst, we use these differences to create separation and exclusion, and when we’re at our best, we embrace our differences to create connection and inclusion. One of the many things I love about coaching is how it’s designed to generate this connection and inclusion.
As a coach, I’m trained to intentionally let go of any preconceived notions about people and get deeply curious about the other human in my presence. One does not have to be a coach to create this connection and inclusion. Here are three best practices from Coaching that anyone can employ.
- Listening with open curiosity
Our default way of listening is to hear everything through the lens of how it affects us, or what we think of what we’re hearing. When you can drop the “self” perspective and listen purely to understand what the other person is experiencing, you respect the other person and learn more about them in the process. - Be aware of your own biases and assumptions
Everyone has biases and everyone makes assumptions. It’s a natural part of how humans perceive the world around them. Pay attention to uncover the assumptions you’re making and how your biases are influencing them. - Embrace differences as a way of deepening shared understanding
When you place an inherently high value on understanding another person’s lived experience, you truly expand what’s possible in a collaboration with a more diverse set of people.
I’ve discovered that when I take the time to listen deeply, understand and manage my own biases, and embrace the opportunity to know people with different lived experiences, I am happier and more satisfied in my work with a wider range of people. When I stay safely surrounded by people who look and sound like me, I miss out on the rich experiences of a diverse world. I choose to embrace diversity and inclusion.
Mike Caracalas
Professional Executive Coach
michael.caracalas@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Author
Before becoming a professional coach with his own Leadership Coaching firm, Mike Caracalas worked for Sun Microsystems and YUM! Brands in training, HR, and leadership development. He holds a B.A. in psychology, M.A. in organizational psychology, CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach), and PCC (Professional Certified Coach).