In this podcast Tim and Junior discuss the importance of bridging the gap between diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Diversity alone is not enough, and true progress comes from creating a culture of inclusion. To do that we must "cross the lines of natural affinity," or find common ground and build relationships with coworkers who may be different from ourselves.

DE&I spending is projected to reach 15.4 billion by 2026 (02:05). There are questions that come with increased spending such as, "Are these dollars effective? Are they working? Are we learning how to do this better than we have in the past?" The results are mixed at best.

You cannot command and control your way to diversity and inclusion (06:58). You cannot declare your way to an inclusive culture, and awareness campaigns are not enough. You'll need parallel tracks of awareness and behaviors to make a difference. The real question to answer is, "are you modeling inclusive behaviors day in and day out, or not?"

The importance of bonding and bridging (10:34). Bonding is creating connections with people like you or those inside your natural affinity groups. Bridging is connecting with people who are not like you or outside your natural affinity groups. To create inclusion you need both. Organizations can assist in the process with discussion guides.

Interaction is not connection (19:43). In order to form a genuine connection you must be willing to engage in inquiry with the other person and be willing to share yourself. The right intent combined with those two elements will help you move from interaction to connection.

Commit to practicing inclusive behavior (35:53). There are many opportunities for inclusive behavior. They usually fall into one of these seven categories. 1) Greeting, 2)Asking, 3) Listening, 4) Sharing, 5) Inviting, 6) Helping, and 7)Protecting. Chose one of these categories of behaviors to practice over the next week.

We need accountability to succeed (41:22). If we want to move through cycles of improvement we need to practice behaviors and reflect on how we've done.

Additional Resources
How to Bridge from Diversity to Inclusion: Helping Employees Cross the Lines of Natural Affinity
5 Ways to Create Inclusion Safety
Diversity is a Fact, Inclusion is a Choice
The 4 Stages Behavior Guide

Additional Resources
LeaderFactor.com/Resources