From the Publisher – D&I More Than Painting A Pretty Picture
As founder and publisher of Profiles in Diversity Journal, now beginning our 14th year, I have something to toot our horn about.
It’s our staff of editors, writers, designers, and professional communicators that bring a plethora of content targeted toward assisting organizations in honing their diversity and inclusion skills, challenges, and opportunities. After all, isn’t listening to all employees and giving them airtime an easy way to seek innovation and critical buy-in? It’s the differences that make the difference.
But, and there is the proverbial but, listening is not easy or readily understood. Sometimes good manners, political correctness, and basic courtesy belie true feelings. And this becomes the challenge of honing the communication skills of an organization, team, group, or department to seek out the truth. There needs to exist a basic level of trust and respect. Not superficial respect but respect that is deserved and earned. The bottom line is that at Diversity Journal we understand that diversity and inclusion work is not easy.
What’s my point? Diversity and inclusion work is more than painting a pretty picture. It’s more than making pronouncements and concessions. Listening to and including people makes everything come together with profitable results. I never thought that diversity and inclusion practices could be legislated or programmed into the organizational culture. What brings positive results and the benefits of diversity and inclusion is the proper selection of people who have a varied but positive work ethic. Employees with a good work ethic don’t need to be trained to listen and include other associates. Their combined work ethic supersedes personal bias, stereotypes, and ego. For some wonderful reason, people with a good work ethic make things happen. We have these types of people working at Diversity Journal.
All the best for a fantastical New Year!
- James R. Rector, Publisher/CEO
January 2012
