We’ve all heard the phrase “birds of a feather flock together.”
Well, it’s true for people, as well.
There’s a natural tendency for people who are similar or who share similar interests to connect and form groups. The downside? Such actions may intentionally or unintentionally cause others to feel left out.
As a result, it’s important to be aware of actions that may exclude and create ways to cultivate inclusive cultures, said Sheritta Strong, MD, director of the Office of Inclusion, in leading May’s “Conversations for Inclusive Excellence” session.
Nearly 80 attendees gathered online Thursday (May 13) to watch a TedTalk by Octavius Black, CEO of Mind Gym, as he explored what behavioral science reveals on inclusion.
“Diversity without inclusion is not inherently productive,” Black said. “To reap the beneficial outcomes of diversity, we must ensure that we are cultivating inclusion.”
To connect with people outside our natural groups, it’s important to:
- Practice curiosity, learn from one another and be intentional in seeking out others.
- Understand our unconscious bias, which can lead us to automatically reject and accept certain people because of characteristics they display.
- Understand trigger differences (ie: introvertedness, extrovertedness, bragging, talking in cliches) and overcome/reframe them in order to authentically and productively engage with others.
- Actively and tactfully pivot or redirect exclusive conditions toward inclusive ones.
- Be aware of the signals we send others (ie: glancing at one’s phone during a meeting).
- Take action against microagressions.
- Value and cherish differences.
As Black said in his video: “I’m not different from you. I am different like you.”