Being Authentic in Every Space
“The union of religion with DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is proving successful for businesses by helping coworkers better understand and work with their teammates, and helping companies better understand their clients, customers, and stakeholders.” “To be fully successful, DEI cannot just be transactional, or about fulfilling program metrics – it operates at its best when utilized to foster authentic connections between people. These connections are key to ensuring a company’s ultimate success.” “The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s research has found that when faith is included in DEI, it reinforces and expands the work of other diversity groups – what we refer to as a religion dividend.” “Ensuring faith has a seat at the table – in business, society, media, and more – is how we can improve and enhance diversity of thought and connections. If people want to truly feel accepted and included in their workplace, and if employers want fully empowered workforces, religion has to play a part in that inclusion as well.”
Ashoka insight
Being authentic in every space is an invitation to question how we show up in our environments, and how our initiatives enable everyone to practice and test their beliefs in ways that are life-giving for society. For some of us, practicing values like humility, respect, peace or justice are central to our faith traditions and anchoring in those values can provide guidance and direction when making decisions as changemakers, whether in our private lives or as employees or employers.
What does being authentic (spiritually) mean to you?
In your changemaking experience at work, how has your faith or spirituality influenced your actions?