Looking Forward to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Training – Being Okay with Discomfort

Many people need to be encouraged to look forward to diversity and inclusion training. This is because diversity and inclusion in the workplace is often equated with having to deal with uncomfortable emotions. People anticipate having to navigate either overt or covert conflict during training or some form of confrontation. 

 Distress may accompany the anticipation of examining problematic relationships or interpersonal problems. There may be an expectation that participants will be called upon to acknowledge and accept some measure of blame for injustices and inequalities. It is easier sometimes to simply live with the status quo than risk being exposed.

Anticipation

In life we all need to learn that dealing with conflict and confrontation is natural to growth and can be extremely productive. It can be a positive experience if we have the right knowledge, skills and support to transition through it. Participants need to know that this will be provided during training. It is therefore okay to be honest about our emotional responses to the unknown. There is comfort in knowing we are not alone in such feelings and that any levels of stress or anxiety will be dealt with pro-actively throughout the experience.

Part of encouraging people to fully commit to training is asking them to look at their assumptions. Conflict, confrontation and surfacing problems if tackled correctly will invariably improve situations more than we could ever have imagined.   

We will be taught to speak up and express opinions and views in a constructive manner. We will also acquire the right mind set to receive feedback and input without being unduly defensive, sensitive or offended. We begin to see clearly that each individuals’ perceptions are their own .

Another useful insight for participants is that issues are normally dealt with one issue at a time so as not to become overwhelming. The building blocks to success are sequentially put in place. As with any learning process the least challenging issues are dealt with first. Trust is always built up incrementally and interactions carefully managed.

Acceptance

Another important element in diversity and inclusion in the workplace training is that it takes account of the fact that we are all on a path towards trying to become our authentic selves. Without some level of conflict and confrontation, as well as speaking our personal truth.

 All diversity and inclusion training focuses on establishing self-esteem and resolving underlying causes of all types of interpersonal suffering.

It’s good to have a few “a-ha” moments in advance of any diversity and inclusion training. The main one being that as mature adults we need a professional orientation in terms of accepting what it will take to establish a business culture and climate that is aligned to the aspiration to be fully inclusive. This demands us to step up with determination to play our role and make a contribution to moving the diversity and inclusion strategy of the business forward. We can have confidence that as we are exposed to training, any dream will dissipate and be replaced with real hope and faith in our collective humanity.