"Why is my skin like chocolate ice cream and yours gets to be vanilla ice cream"
So I replied, "that's a very interesting question and we both have beautiful skin, can you tell me why you wonder about that?"
"Because kids at school said my skin is the colour of poo and I just want to be like you".
This is the conversation I had with my 5 year old son at the time. It broke my heart to think that not only had he noticed some difference in society but he was actively being bullied about it, by 5 year olds.
Judgement is not born, it's learned and it made me sad to think that there were little children of 5 making these comments.
I don't know what it's like to have brown skin. But I know my son does, I know how he thinks about it, what he's experienced and what he is learning and, I am learning too. So, I've often felt throughout my career, how absolutely crucial it is to embed hiring practices, which aim to fairly assess all candidates and foster diversity of thought.
So when the concept of quotas were first introduced to organisations I thought it was an interesting approach to find more equality, diversity of thinking which would ultimately lead to growth.
But I don't think quotas were born out of a diverse set of thinkers.
I think most people know in their hearts that quotas are an important first step, but a temporary measure. That temporary measure enables people who have a right to be at an executive table, or any table we wish, to be there.
And then it is everyone's to hold those people up to show the world that your sexuality, the colour of your skin, your religious beliefs, your name does not determine any capability or worth. Because people who are in minority groups do experience the world in a different way.
These may not be stories we are comfortable sharing or talking about, but they are stories that need to be known so that great people understand the importance of walking in someone elses shoes, and it isn't enough to say:
"I see everyone as the person they are"
Because whilst we wish for a world that did operate like this, and I am grateful for people who truly do think like this, there are experiences that are unique to each persons background that influence how they navigate the world, which we must acknowledge and understand to truly appreciate the full scope of their humanity.
If you're lucky, we will give these experiences to businesses to learn from, to grow your business, to work hard and achieve amazing things for society.
Did I mention that your Company is also more likely to be 30% more profitable, if you are lucky enough to have a diverse team?
So, I want you to think about the technology you're using, you have an opportunity to do things differently. It's part of our core belief at Empathix. That being unbiased is the baseline, not a bonus.
#HR #technology #diversity #growth #profitability #recruitment #talentacquisition #leadership #opportunity #HRtech #rectech
