Shhh! Inclusion Isn't a Dirty Word
The Quality Coach® is excited to have guest writer, Dr. Cassandra Suggs, bring you today’s blog. Dr. Cassandra Suggs will be joining us at this Spring’s Human Resources Leadership Forum. You can read more about Cassandra and her background at the end of today’s blog. Thanks for reading!
Have you ever noticed that certain words or titles evoke certain thoughts or images? Some examples are the word Hero what did you see? Did you see a fictional character or your dad, a firefighter, or a teacher? “The Greatest”, who do you envision? A crane is a bird or a machine, a date is a fruit or a special time out with a friend. Our minds automatically go with what we are most familiar with when we hear or see that particular word or phrase. It is the same with the word Inclusion. Some may see inclusion as being a part of a team, others may see it as a word that is the opposite, it means excluding others for the sake of some.
Think about a time where you felt like you were included. What memories come to mind? Is it your elementary school teacher who remembered your birthday and announced it to the class? Is it when you started at your dream job and the boss introduced you? Perhaps, it is when you met your soon to be spouse’s family? Maybe it is when you joined a new club or team, and you knew that you belonged. Those memories help us to envision inclusion in a positive manner that promotes good feelings, feelings of approval.
Now think about the opposite. What memories come when you feel like you were not included? Was there a time when you were the new person at school years ago, and no one spoke to you or sat with you at lunch. Perhaps it was when you began at a new company, and no one gave you the office tour or invited you to an after work social. It could be when you were cut from a team and told you were not good enough. Maybe it was a rejection from someone you loved, and that you thought loved you. Maybe you felt you were not included because of your gender, religious beliefs, or race. Those are times someone may feel like they are not included, not good enough.
When inclusion is looked at through the lens of dignity and belonging it can be easy to see how important it is in every organization to be inclusive. That is something worth talking about!
At the HR Leadership Forum, we will delve into why words affect us the way they do and how we can all find ways to be included while including others in a manner that represents positivity and appreciation.
I hope to see you on April 18th. If you like being a part of an engaging group of people with activities and information that expand your thoughts and practices, this will be the right event. Be prepared to leave with tools, insight, and ideas around inclusion that you can take back to your organization.
Let’s look at inclusion in a new and fresh way that sets the stage to help you and your company thrive.
Dr. Cassandra Walker Suggs
Possessing a legal degree and a Doctorate in Heritage Leadership, Social Justice, Sustainability and Participatory Culture, with over two decades of diverse and impactful experience in education, media, and leadership, Dr. Suggs is a passionate leader and award-winning educator who strives to create a loving and supportive learning environment that is accessible for all. As the Director of Educational Equity and Access serving a larger school district in Missouri, Dr. Suggs oversees the development and implementation of policies, programs, and practices that promote diversity, equity, and access across the district.
