Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
One of the most effective ways to improve diversity intelligence is by understanding and overcoming our diversity “blind spots.” This requires both self-awareness and a deeper appreciation that diversity goes well beyond the obvious surface characteristics of people.
We tend (often without even knowing it) to regard diversity through the lens of the most obvious physical and superficial traits of those around us. For example, we categorize people by virtue of their age, gender, and race. This makes sense – after all, age, race and gender are traits you can see in the flesh. But these and other physical attributes like skin colour are only a small part of the diversity picture. There are many other characteristics that merit consideration. Think about the heritage, education, culture, languages, family status of those around us, just to mention a few.
A recent article I wrote published in the Project Management World Journal uses a Diversity Iceberg to explain the traits that are visible vs. those that are invisible. It helps improve our awareness of our own diversity blind spots.
What are your diversity blind spots and what do you do to address them?
Andy KaufmanHost| People and Projects PodcastLake Zurich, Il, United States
OK, here's an embarrassingly true story to illustrate a diversity blindspot.... Years ago I was a member of a team responsible for hosting a Diversity Day. On the morning of the event we found attendance lower than expected, only to find out we scheduled it on Rosh Hashanah. Doh!
Thanks for the post. The iceberg illustration is fabulous. Saving Changes...
Good to see you here; great illustration in your article. Thanks. Saving Changes...
Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks to Andy for sharing his personal story. I'm sure we can all relate and learn from each other. Are there any other stories people want to share? Saving Changes...
