Tolerated vs. Included: Choosing To Embrace Rather Than Endure

This is Becoming Inclusive from The Kaleidoscope Group, where we’re thinking differently about diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more empowered people at work. We’re committed to real change and that begins with real conversations. Welcome in.

*to request the transcription, please email jodi.matas@kgdiversity.com*

Nobody Wants To Merely Be Tolerated

This was a very interesting topic of conversation this episode of The Kaleidoscope Group’s Becoming Inclusive podcast, hosted by Katherine “Kat” Potts and Reggie Ponder. Along with frequent guest, Brian Johnson, an executive DEI consultant, the three got into the nuances of inclusion, equity, and diversity with an honest discussion about the difference between being tolerant versus being accepting. 

“Everyone is welcome’ is drastically different from, ‘We built this with you in mind.’” This powerful quote kicks off today’s podcast about tolerating vs including. For a long time tolerance was considered aspirational. Respecting one another and our viewpoints was in many ways the destination we sought. But that time is long past – nobody wants to merely be tolerated. Not in society and certainly not at work. And real talk: not everybody is comfortable with that. Join us as we explore the meanings and methods of moving beyond being just welcoming.

Real Work & Real Conversations

Seems like a simple concept yet so many people fail to realize it. Building inclusive environments take real work and real conversations – and sometimes difficult conversations. To have these conversations, we have to be willing to move out of our comfort zones and be willing to tolerate some things and some people we might not otherwise choose to tolerate. Contrary to a popular belief, tolerance doesn’t mean acceptance. Truly inclusive environments go one step beyond tolerance to create organizations that are welcoming and accepting. 

As Ponder said, many women often struggle with pregnancy in their careers. While workplace policies have evolved to accept the realities of pregnancy, too many employers still resist accommodating career women who choose to start or grow their families. The same could be said for paternity leave; men can take paternity leave but so few do out of concern for their career trajectories

Everyone’s Responsibility

To summarize the conversation more succinctly, the panelists agreed that everyone is responsible for building an inclusive culture, not just leadership. As one of the hosts said, and studies confirm, “belonging at work is second only to belonging at home,” which drives home the point that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility, and that requires not only skill but grace. The point is that we have to open ourselves up to different people from different backgrounds to build cultures of acceptance. 

Thanks for joining us, and a special thanks to our subscribers. Consider becoming one today. Becoming Inclusive is presented by The Kaleidoscope Group, your full-service Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion partner serving clients worldwide. Learn more and continue the conversation and kgdiversity.com