A Journey of Curiosity, Connection, and Community

Vanessa Sampson, Director of People and Culture at Locale, celebrates Global Diversity Awareness Month reflecting on the value of diversity, not just in the workplace but also in our communities.

In Diversity Awareness Month 2024, I find myself reflecting on the many facets of diversity that shape our workplaces, communities, and lives. It reminds me of a quote:

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr

Whether it’s days dedicated to celebrating specific cultures, weeks honouring gender equality, or months raising awareness of disabilities, the calendar is filled with reminders of the importance of inclusion and representation. But as we celebrate these occasions, there’s always a question lingering in the back of my mind: Who’s being left out?

The challenge is to make sure no one is overlooked. We are tasked with guiding teams and organisations on how to embrace diversity holistically, and that means we must continually push ourselves to grow and learn. Diversity isn't just about ticking boxes or celebrating the most visible aspects that come with it; it’s about embracing the full spectrum of the human experience. Often, that means doing the work to learn about what we don’t even know we don’t know.

So how do we ensure that we truly embrace everyone? Is there a better way?

The role of curiosity in understanding diversity

Cultural safety is key. If people feel safe to share their experiences, ask questions, and be curious without fear of judgment, we open pathways to genuine understanding. It’s natural to worry about making mistakes or feeling out of your depth, but curiosity is the gateway to growth, and growth is rarely comfortable.

Mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. It’s part of the human experience. What matters most is the intent to grow, to listen, and to adopt inclusive behaviours that become ingrained in the way we live and work. We know that everyone operates at their own pace—some may need time to process and understand, while others might be ready to dive straight in. That’s perfectly fine too.

Our job is to create an environment where these conversations are respectful, patient, and emotionally measured. Discomfort will arise, as will disagreement, but that’s not something to shy away from. If anything, it’s these tricky moments that make us more resilient and teaches us to communicate more effectively. Vulnerability is often the precursor to deeper connection. When we trust one another to aim for the same goal—creating a more connected and inclusive community—we begin to break down the barriers that divide us.

Putting curiosity into action

I encourage you to make curiosity your guiding principle. Think about the people in your workplace—who haven’t you spoken to much, or at all? Seek them out. Invite them for a coffee, have a chat, and take an interest in their background. Maybe they practice a religion you don’t know much about, or perhaps their cultural heritage is something you’ve never explored. Use this opportunity to learn, not just from the internet (though that’s always a great resource), but from real-life conversations.

The internet can provide facts and figures, but it can’t replace the richness of human connection. A workplace that fosters curiosity and respect is one where true diversity and inclusion can flourish. It’s easy to focus on the grand gestures during these awareness months, but sometimes the small actions—the ones that build relationships and encourage understanding—can have the most profound impact.

A call to action

Take a moment this month to reflect on how your gender, race, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs shape your daily working life. Then, consider how these same factors might impact a colleague’s experience. What challenges do they face that you don’t? What privileges do you enjoy that they may not? Diversity awareness isn’t just about celebrating differences; it’s about understanding how those differences shape our lived experiences and how we can create an environment that works for everyone.

At the heart of this is connection. Building community doesn’t happen overnight, but through sustained effort, trust, and the willingness to be curious, we can create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

So, for this Diversity Awareness Month, let’s put curiosity front and centre. Because when we’re genuinely curious about others, we begin to build the trust and community that makes inclusion a lived reality, not just a box to tick.