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Discussion on: Diversity vs Inclusivity: Understanding the Difference

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Prahlad Yeri • Edited

The important thing here is that diversity cannot and should not be forced but it should come naturally in the course of time. Even inclusiveness comes naturally in orgs when one's heart is in the right place. If it doesn't come naturally, you may try to explain the concept of inclusiveness to them but it may not always work. You may bid adieu to such org and join another one as you said.

But having said that, there's also the danger of carrying the concept of inclusiveness too far. The problem is that like all other kinds of politics in orgs, the stand for inclusiveness has the potential to create its own kind of politics too. The danger being that the one championing for inclusiveness will try to bring in members of his/her own "ideology" than basing that decision purely on inclusiveness!

You see, there is a difference between being truly inclusive (having no regard for a person's caste, religion, gender, etc. while making a selection) and just selecting those who are strongly vocal or outspoken about your inclusiveness ideology. The latter gives rise to echo chambers and is in a way the exact anti-thesis of diversity, even though your selection may appear to be based on diversity and inclusiveness from the outset.