Inclusion Starts With I

Accenture

23 Jun 201703:28

Summary

TLDRThe script addresses the multifaceted challenges of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, highlighting personal experiences of bias, the pressure to conform, and the importance of embracing differences. It emphasizes the economic and social benefits of inclusion, such as improved team performance and creativity, and calls for individual commitment to create a more equitable and innovative world for everyone.

Takeaways

👥 The script addresses the discomfort and challenges faced by individuals in various aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, and family roles.
💭 It highlights the frustration of being silenced or labeled negatively when expressing opinions in a professional setting.
👩‍👧‍👦 The annoyance of being presumed less committed to family or work due to gender or parental status is emphasized.
🤔 The pressure to suppress personal feelings and to conform to societal expectations is a recurring theme.
🏳️‍🌈 The anxiety of revealing personal aspects, such as sexual orientation or disability, due to fear of judgment is discussed.
😅 The awkwardness of being mistaken for someone else or having others assume authority based on appearance is pointed out.
💪 The strain of feeling the expectation to overachieve or the struggle with language barriers in communication is mentioned.
🏆 The exasperation of being undervalued or having achievements misattributed to identity rather than merit is expressed.
🤔 The indignation of unequal recognition for promotions and the assumption of promotion based on gender is critiqued.
💰 The script presents statistics on wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and disparities faced by various groups.
🌟 It concludes with a call to action for inclusion and diversity, emphasizing the benefits of a more inclusive and diverse society.
🌍 The importance of individual commitment to fostering a better world through inclusion and diversity is stressed.

Q & A

What does the script describe as the 'uneasy feeling' when walking into a meeting?
-The script describes the uneasy feeling as being in a meeting where no one else looks like the speaker, implying a sense of isolation or being an outsider due to differences in appearance or ethnicity.
Why might someone feel judged when they leave a meeting early to pick up their children?
-The script suggests that someone might feel judged for leaving early to pick up their children because it could lead to assumptions about their commitment to work, particularly if they are a parent who is expected to balance family responsibilities with professional duties.
What frustrations are expressed in the script about being talked over in meetings?
-The script expresses frustration about not being asked for one's opinion or being talked over in meetings, which can indicate a lack of recognition or respect for the individual's contributions and perspectives.
How does the script address the issue of being labeled aggressive for asserting one's opinion?
-The script highlights the double standard where a person, particularly a woman, may be labeled as aggressive or angry when they assert their opinion, suggesting a societal bias against strong assertiveness in certain groups.
What are the presumptions mentioned in the script about commitment to family life and work?
-The script mentions that people may presume a man is less committed to his family life, and a mother is less committed to her work, reflecting stereotypes about gender roles and the expectations placed on individuals based on their family status.
What pressures are described in the script related to fitting in and expressing personal feelings?
-The script describes pressures to be super-human, not showing one's true feelings, and fitting in, which can lead to a suppression of one's authentic self and emotional well-being.
Why might someone feel anxiety about sharing their personal life due to their sexual orientation?
-The script suggests that someone might feel anxiety about sharing their personal life because most people around them are heterosexual, indicating a fear of judgment, discrimination, or exclusion based on their sexual orientation.
What does the script imply about the awkwardness of being mistaken for someone of the same ethnicity?
-The script implies that being mistaken for someone else of the same ethnicity can be awkward, possibly due to a lack of individual recognition or the assumption that people of the same ethnicity are interchangeable.
What strain does the script mention regarding language barriers in the workplace?
-The script mentions the strain of having conversations not in one's first language, which can create communication challenges and a sense of isolation or exclusion in the workplace.
How does the script address the issue of being labeled as entitled or lacking drive?
-The script addresses the exasperation of being labeled as entitled and lacking drive, which could be a result of societal expectations or biases against certain groups, such as those who are perceived to have certain privileges or who are undergoing life transitions.
What indignation does the script express about the celebration of promotions and assumptions about qualifications?
-The script expresses indignation about feeling that one's promotion is not celebrated as much as others and the indignation when someone is assumed to have been promoted just because they are a woman, highlighting issues of gender bias and the devaluation of achievements.
What is the script's perspective on the importance of inclusion and diversity?
-The script emphasizes that inclusion and diversity are not just about various demographic factors but are about recognizing and valifying every individual's unique identity and contributions, fostering a sense of belonging, and enhancing creativity and innovation.
What message does the script convey about the impact of inclusion on team performance?
-The script conveys that when everyone feels included, team performance can improve by 50%, underscoring the tangible benefits of an inclusive environment on both individual and team levels.
What call to action does the script present?
-The script presents a call to action for individuals to join the conversation about inclusion and diversity, to be the one who cares and commits to act, emphasizing the power of individual commitment to create a better world.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

This paragraph delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by individuals from various backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, and family roles. It highlights the daily struggles such as feeling judged, being overlooked in meetings, and the pressure to conform. The script addresses the systemic issues like wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and the desire for flexibility among working fathers. It also touches on the disproportionate treatment of disabled and transgender individuals, as well as the prevalence of mental health issues. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of inclusion and diversity, not just in terms of demographic representation but as a means to foster creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. It concludes with a call to action for individuals to join the conversation and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse world, with the belief that one person can make a difference.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Unease

Unease refers to a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, often stemming from unfamiliar or challenging situations. In the video, it is used to describe the discomfort experienced by individuals who feel out of place in meetings or when juggling work and family responsibilities. The script mentions 'the unease of walking into a meeting where no-one else looks like me' and 'the unease of being judged when I leave early to pick-up my children,' illustrating the personal struggles faced in diverse and professional settings.

💡Frustration

Frustration is the feeling of dissatisfaction or annoyance that arises from unmet expectations or obstacles. The video script uses this term to highlight the emotional response to being unheard or misunderstood in professional environments. For instance, 'the frustration when I am not asked for my opinion or talked over in meetings' and 'the frustration of asserting my opinion, only to be labeled aggressive or angry' show the challenges of being recognized and respected in a workplace context.

💡Annoyance

Annoyance is a mild form of displeasure or irritation. The script uses this term to express the irritation felt when assumptions are made about one's commitment to family or work based on gender roles. 'The annoyance when people presume I am less committed to my family life, because I am a man' and 'the annoyance when people presume I am less committed to my work, because I am a mother' reflect the everyday biases that can affect one's sense of belonging and self-worth.

💡Pressure

Pressure is the stress or strain that one feels to perform or conform to certain standards or expectations. In the video, it is associated with the internal and external demands placed on individuals to suppress their true feelings or to fit into a particular mold. 'The pressure to be super-human and not talk about how I'm really feeling' and 'the pressure to fit in' are examples from the script that underscore the psychological burden of societal and workplace expectations.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. The script mentions 'the anxiety of sharing my personal life, because most people around me are heterosexual' and 'the anxiety of how others will react to my disability,' which demonstrates the apprehension individuals may have about revealing aspects of their identity that could lead to discrimination or misunderstanding.

💡Awkwardness

Awkwardness is the feeling of discomfort or embarrassment due to an inability to act in a normal or expected way. The video script uses this term to describe social situations where individuals are mistaken for someone else or where assumptions of authority are misplaced. 'The awkwardness when I get mistaken for someone else of the same ethnicity' and 'the awkwardness when my client assumes that my white male colleague is in charge' illustrate the discomfort that arises from misidentification and stereotyping.

💡Strain

Strain refers to the tension or stress that results from demands or pressures. In the context of the video, it is used to convey the additional effort or difficulty faced by individuals who are expected to perform more due to their life circumstances or are communicating in a non-native language. 'The strain of feeling I am expected to do more, simply because I don't have children' and 'the strain when conversations aren't in my first language' highlight the extra burdens that can be placed on individuals based on societal expectations and language barriers.

💡Exasperation

Exasperation is a feeling of annoyance or frustration that is made worse by the fact that a situation is difficult to change. The script uses this term to describe the intensified frustration when individuals feel misunderstood or unfairly judged. 'The exasperation of being labeled entitled and lacking drive' and 'the exasperation when people assume I don't have relevant skills or ambition anymore' are examples that reflect the cumulative effect of repeated negative experiences and perceptions.

💡Indignation

Indignation is a feeling of anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. The video script uses this term to express the emotional response to perceived injustices in the workplace, such as unequal recognition for achievements or promotions. 'The indignation of feeling that my promotion is not celebrated as much as others' and 'the indignation when you think I was promoted just because I am a woman' capture the resentment felt when one's accomplishments are overshadowed by stereotypes or biases.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion is the act of including or incorporating people, ensuring that all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully. The video emphasizes the importance of inclusion by stating that 'Inclusion promotes belonging, purpose and wellbeing.' It is a central theme that ties together the various experiences and challenges faced by individuals in the script, advocating for a more equitable and accepting society where everyone's differences are embraced.

💡Diversity

Diversity refers to the range of differences among people, including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, background, disability, culture, age, and mental health. The video script highlights the value of diversity by stating that 'Diversity ignites creativity, problem solving and innovation.' It is presented as a strength that can drive positive outcomes in the workplace and society, and is a key aspect of the push for a more inclusive world.

Highlights

The feeling of unease for being underrepresented in meetings and facing judgment for personal responsibilities.

Experiencing frustration from being overlooked or labeled aggressively when asserting opinions in meetings.

The annoyance of being presumed less committed to family or work based on gender roles.

Pressure to suppress personal feelings and conform to societal expectations.

Anxiety stemming from sharing personal life in a predominantly heterosexual environment and concerns about reactions to disabilities.

Awkwardness from being mistaken for someone of the same ethnicity and assumptions of authority based on race.

The strain of feeling obligated to overachieve without children and the challenge of non-native language conversations.

Exasperation from being labeled as entitled or having one's skills and ambitions underestimated.

Indignation over unequal celebration of promotions and assumptions of preferential treatment based on gender.

The importance of everyday actions, both big and small, in shaping a culture of inclusion and diversity.

Economic disparity, with women earning significantly less than men for the same work.

Underrepresentation of women of color in top corporate positions.

The desire for flexible work arrangements among a majority of working fathers.

The increased likelihood of unfair treatment experienced by disabled individuals in the workplace.

High unemployment and poverty rates among transgender individuals.

The prevalence of mental health issues and the positive impact of inclusion on team performance.

Inclusion and diversity encompassing a wide range of human differences, not limited to traditional categories.

The universal desire for respect and recognition of individual value and the embracing of differences.

The benefits of inclusion for fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and well-being.

The role of diversity in fueling creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

The collective responsibility in shaping a better world through daily choices and actions.

The call to action for individuals to join the conversation and make a difference in promoting inclusion.