BEING HUMAN - DIVERSITY

We all are human, and with being human we have things in common. Diversity is about allowing and respecting differences until the differences don’t make a difference anymore. In the workplace, DIVERSITY refers to the differences we recognize in others and ourselves … basically the acceptance of you and me.

Diversity includes differences based on …

Race Sexual orientation

Gender Physical ability

Ethnicity Physical aspects

Culture

Diversity also includes…

Speech patterns Social/familial status

Level of education Occupation

Religious beliefs Value system

Economic status Country of origin

Refining our belief systems…

Our upbringing, past experience, and surrounding environment has helped shape our belief system. Many of these beliefs change over our lives as we learn and experience more of the world.

Developing an understanding of how our beliefs are formed helps us in letting go of them or allowing new beliefs to be integrated.

Everyone has a natural fear or distrust of those different than us. You don’t have to like or agree with everyone, but you DO have to treat everyone with respect and equality. By understanding yourself better, you can better understand others. Create a vision to better understand those around you.

Communication tips to promote respect…

Think before you speak- be sensitive to others. If you accidentally offend someone, apologize.

Listen More – being heard increases a person’s self-esteem, confidence & increases cooperation.

Avoid generalized language – avoid using words that suggest all or most of a group are the same.

Be careful with humor – off the wall comments &jokes can hurt others unknowingly.

We are all individuals and only belong to groups we choose. Do not assume a person belongs to a group based on any one charactistic.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS!