Diversity: More Than Just Optics
Diversity seems to be a bit of a buzz word these days. And while diversity is important in creating an inclusive society, it’s also important to remember that diversity is about more than just optics.
By definition, diversity is: mix of differences in any particular setting to include but not necessarily limited to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, or generation, and job function*, inside our LBI Backstage Pass community we see diversity as so much more!
We gave you a general overview and taste of how we see diversity impacting how we collaborate, elevate and inspire inside the BsP, but we wanted to take it a step further today and share some insights from our community. December is all about diversity for us and we asked our members how thos core value has played a role in their lives and businesses.
The responses we received were powerful and demonstrated why diversity is so important, not just for the optics, but for the impact it has on individuals, businesses and society at large. From creating a more inclusive environment to sparking creativity and new ideas, diversity is key.
Martine had this to say about diversity:
“Simply put, diversity for me means the respect for the beauty and strength that makes us all unique.”
We absolutely LOVE this perspective! Diversity is about respecting and celebrating the differences that make each and every one of us unique. And when we come together and celebrate our diversity, we can create a more inclusive world for all.
When we shared our overview of what our core value of diversity looks like, we walked a little bit about how it includes “passing the mic”. That means using our platform and inclusive community as a way to amplify all voices… through the blog, our social media, and the online community itself, we are creating spaces for you to share your story and what is on your heart. We want, NEED, you to share your greatness with the world, and we’re committed to supporting you, giving you a space to do that, and then shouting about it from the roof tops!
Community member Mayrion had this to say about diversity:
“To me, diversity means looking outside of myself, the way I think, feel, and operate and learn, educate, and embrace others that are different from me.”
This is an important perspective… diversity is not just about the external differences that we see, but it’s also about looking inside ourselves and expanding our understanding of the world. When we do this, we can create a more welcoming, open, fair and ACTUALLY diverse world for all.
When I asked our founder, Rose Kaz, the OG ladyboss prototype herself, to share her definition of diversity, she said
“More than optics; it’s important for people to see themselves in different roles of leadership, AND it’s also super important that those leadership roles be ACTUALLY shared and ACTUALLY put into use among the team, that is also ACTUALLY diverse.”
I love this definition… diversity goes beyond optics to include how it is actually put into practice. When we do diversity the right way, it’s impactful for everyone because this core value is shared and visible across all team members and the leadership. When it’s done well, with forethought and intention, diversity allows us all to make an impact and be our most authentic selves.
One things is very clear to me, diversity is more than just a pretty word or an ideal to strive for. It’s something that our community and leadership values and are working hard to create in every aspect of our lives and businesses. From the diversity of our team, to that of our members, to the diversity of our content and the way we share it, we want you to feel seen, represented, valued, heard and cherished!
We are proud to be a community of diverse and inclusive passionate female entrepreneurs. We’ve shared a little more about what diversity means to us, but we know that it’s not the same for everyone. What does diversity mean to you? How do you integrate diverse perspectives into your work environment or business model? Share with us in the comments below!
*Definition from Inclusive Conversations by Mary Frances Winters
