100 Days of Ajeeb & Awesome Post 79:
My Aunt and I played ludo till she expired at 72. The difference being she was on autism spectrum and most people find it fascinating because of that sole factor
Another friend who has CP sends and demands Pizza instead of money every time we recommend each other for a speaking opportunity at a corporate
There are many such serendipitous common grounds I find with fellow humans across genders, ages, sexualities, origins and abilities.
It gets people curious but when it comes to them learning about it in an Unconscious Bias workshop, most people like lofty big words & theories that justify words like ESG & SDG for intellectual wanking
A lot of work goes behind making technical DEI Jargons and terms conversational. One such powerful phrase that has been resonating with me lately: "Meet People where they are at."
From an Empathy and Systemic Equity perspective, this phrase holds immense importance in building genuine connections 🤝
It means taking the time to truly listen and acknowledge the individual struggles, joys, and challenges that each person faces. 💪 A few examples being what I learnt during organisation Audits about Ergonomic considerations for women returning to work after maternity break & how people with invisible disabilities are denied wheel chair support at Airports
Just being open to learn and to be wrong about things goes a long way. It makes us an ally/ safe space for open dialogue, where individuals feel valued and heard. It allows us to break down barriers and bridge gaps.
Here are a few handy tips that I have found useful over the years to meet people, break bread, laugh together and enjoy common spaces be it classrooms, boardrooms or living rooms:
🙏Listen: Make a conscious effort to listen to others without judgment or assumptions.
🌟Echo: Validate their experiences and perspectives, even if they differ from your own.
💼Learn: Take the time to educate yourself about different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
🌍Mirror: Recognize that not everyone communicates in the same way. Be flexible and adaptable in your approach, tailoring your communication style to meet the needs of others.
💙Collaborate & Celebrate: Always remember that the idea is to celebrate everyone's unique strengths and talents together as a collective
Do let me know your thoughts. Also, of course you are welcome to share how you create spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.
#AjeebAndAwesome #DEIB #DiversityEquityInclusion #CelebrateDifferences #SystemsThinking #ChangeTheNarrative #LearnerForLife
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