Inclusivity starts with you!

On National Inclusion Week, Vanessa Sampson, Locale Group’s Head of People & Culture talks about her own experiences about being an army nomad and how this has shaped her mind-set toward inclusion.

As an army nomad, I moved between cultures, languages, countries and, in some cases, continents every two years. Having a sense of belonging was difficult because by the time I had laid down some roots, it was time to move on.

However, I have had the chance to experience different cultures and its impact on the way key institutions such as schools and universities are managed as well as businesses both large and small. Regardless of geography, cultural variations or climate, I found one commonality. A “we can’t please everyone all the time” attitude was prevalent. At the time, I probably accepted this to be the norm but there has always been an underlying question in my mind: is this really true, or could this be a cop-out because sometimes it’s easier to be lazy?

In all my experiences, one thing remained true: at the heart of it, people are the same wherever you are. We are all born with the same basic human instincts. We all crave that sense of belonging and the need to be seen and heard – to be included, to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

I certainly feel that inclusion in a personal setting is the same as that in a corporate setting – and this is why when you look at a company to work for, you look at the people, its culture, leadership and the importance they place on key challenges such as inclusion.

At the Locale Group, we live and breathe diversity and inclusion in every sense. We know that our most valued currency is people and so we ensure that every single person in our team can bring their full person to work, so that together with the right tools and support, they can do their job to the best of their ability, freely.

Underpinned by core values of respect and honesty, the more diverse the workforce, the more interpersonal colour you will have. And when there is friction (there will always be some awkwardness), learn from those situations rather than fearing them as this will be help us all grow and overcome any division; it is liberating and freeing. It is why listening to each other, explaining points of view and decisions, and validating everyone’s job and purpose in the wider scheme of things is so crucial. It might seem simple, but it’s often forgotten. You can listen without having to agree and you can understand without having to condone.

For me, National Inclusion Week is a reminder that, while we can’t change the whole world, we have the power to change ourselves and the way in which we interact with those around us. It’s a practice we need to do each and every day, and, over time, we will bring positive change to the immediate world that we are a part of.

Everyone has a voice that needs to be heard; make sure you take the time to listen.