Creating Connection
As we learn to Understand ourselves and our differences, we are more equipped to promote and inspire Connection and a community of inclusion. In our previous article, “Understanding Diversity in the Workplace,” we outlined the CURE framework for building employee-empowered cultures of inclusion and the importance of developing Understanding as a first step. This opens us to the opportunity to learn from others through Connection.
For much of my life, my difference served as an excuse for not living my life fully and often prevented me from connecting with others. I was willing to deal with the pain if it meant I could look normal. Now, after learning how important unhiding is, it has become a source of strength. It allows me to connect with people in unique and unexpected ways. It opens a dialogue and allows people to share their fear of doing or saying the wrong things in the workplace. This is the start of learning how to change the behavior that creates unsafe environments that lead to hiding differences. When we “refuse to see” differences, we may mistakenly silence or alienate those we intend to support.
Much of the DEIB work developed to help companies improve employee performance, satisfaction, and retention provides a vital jumping-off point for cultivating Connection in the workplace. It places guardrails around acceptable behaviors to allow for making healthy connections. We can leverage our Understanding of differences (“U” in the CURE framework) at all levels of an organization. This allows us to take personal ownership of our role in creating an inclusive business community.
How We Put Connection Into Practice:
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Initiate our discovery process about other areas of difference.
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Proactively do our learning and begin listening to others and their experiences.
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Drive connection.
Belonging requires acceptance from all members of the community. This is achieved through a universal belief that the practice of inclusion matters not only for the organization’s bottom line but for the betterment of each individual’s personal growth. We have few opportunities to make Connections universally benefit the larger community rather than only for personal gain. Once we invest in Understanding, inclusion through Connection becomes a goal we set for ourselves to achieve.
We customize CURE for company cultures through workshops that reframe diversity and inclusivity to empower employees at all levels of the organization equally.
Related Articles:
Why is Diversity in the Workplace Important?
Understanding Diversity in the Workplace
Learn more about unhiding differences in Ruth Rathblott’s book “Singlehandedly, Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection,” now available on Amazon, or as an audiobook: Audible, Barnes & Noble, Ebooks, Google Play.
Ruth Rathblott works with organizations to transform their culture by embracing an inclusion mindset that allows employees to unhide and thrive, leading to increased productivity, engagement, and retention. For much of her life, Ruth’s limb difference served as an excuse for not living life fully and often prevented her from connecting with others. Learning how important unhiding is becomes a source of strength. When we “refuse to see” differences, we may mistakenly silence or alienate those we intend to support. Contact Ruth.
