One of the words being bandied about in today’s society is the term “Inclusion”.  But what does this mean and how do we ensure we are practicing it? According to Global Diversity Practice.com, “Inclusion is an organizational effort and practice in which groups or individuals having different backgrounds are culturally and socially accepted and welcomed, and equally treated.”  It sounds so easy so why is it so difficult?

Remember when you were young and playing kickball during recess.  There were always one or two children who were either picked last or not picked at all.  Many times, it was because they were different in some way, whether it be because they were too slow or dressed funny or talked differently.  There was always an adult who would remind you to choose little Johnny or little Susie because they wanted to be included too.  While this is a very basic example of inclusion, it can be used to help us understand how to practice inclusion in the workplace.

Inclusion in the workplace starts with being accepting of everyone regardless of their race, age, ethnicity, or gender.  It means making sure people feel respected and valued for who they are as an individual or a group.  We can do this by treating everyone respectfully and fairly, reminding ourselves of the old saying, “treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

Inclusion is as simple as just being kind and considerate; it is about going out of your way to make connections through your similarities and learning from your differences.  The most successful organizations make inclusion a top priority.