Politics and Inclusion

In the midst of this exciting primary season, I’ll stay non-partisan but make this observation: Candidates in both parties are revising their messages in light of what the voters are saying is important. Of course what we’ve heard so frequently talked about is the migration of emphasis from “experience” to “change.” But I think equally important is the increasing focus on language stressing commonality. It’s moving, inspiring, and effective to talk about how “we” will work together (no matter who the “we” is) as opposed to saying I promise to fight “them” (whoever makes up those “them,” typically groups having different views from “us” on one or several important issues).

In the workplace, I’ve seen a similar, more gradual shift from the emphasis on diversity, or valuing and recognizing what’s different about us, to inclusion, appreciating the bonds that bring us together and making sure we engage in common goals. Both diversity and inclusion are important – perhaps two sides to the same coin – and it is absolutely vital that differences are to be respected, recognized, and appreciated. However, in the day-to-day world of work – wherever work occurs – ultimately the most practical question is how do we mesh as a team and deliver productive, valuable results?

In the workplaces I’ve seen, it’s a focus on common business objectives and concerns about workplace issues, including shared personal aspirations and goals, that brings people together, creating the glue that non only binds relationships but gets things done.  So while we are all different for innumerable reasons, if we want business results, which can include collaboration, new ideas, projects, or initiatives (“change,” in the political word of the moment), we do so more effectively by bringing people together via what they share in common rather than pulling them apart based on why they are different. I expect we’re seeing what’s successful at work moved to the political arena and we’ll hear more about the broad  “ all of us” than the narrow  “all of them” by those who want to promise results and win their parties’ nomination.