In any organisation if the person making the comments is more senior or influential it feels more difficult to challenge any negative comments, language or behaviour. So we explore approaching this in a way that feels safe but that it is challenged. If we don’t challenge, we are surely essentially accepting. So if this means discussing with the individual concerned, “when you said this, it made me feel…” or making sure someone more senior or the HR/People team are made aware so it can be managed appropriately. I hope, that often people aren’t aware of the impact and that by being made aware they can reflect on this and change. Of course, there will always be those who hold deep rooted views and might resent being called out, but the only way to really achieve inclusion is for discriminatory language and behaviours to be called out. It might not change the views of the individuals concerned, but it will highlight expressing them in a work environment is simply not acceptable.
So why didn’t I on the train. Perhaps because I felt it wouldn’t have the level of impact I wanted. Perhaps because of the environment. Perhaps because of my own personal safety. I am still mulling it over in my head and regretting it. I feel I have let down my many Black and Asian friends and colleagues. What I can commit to is getting better and better at it and having inclusion at the heart of everything I and my business do.
