Historically, we have always believed that we are divided by our differences, e.g., race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, generation, politics, tribe, etc., and united by our similarities. But, borrowing from Thomas Paine, even a long history of thinking a thing right does not stop it from being wrong. 

 

But, while important to us, the lines of difference we see exist only in our minds. Nature does not draw lines; we do—all of them. So, nothing stands between us humans, no walls, barriers, obstacles, or fault lines. Therefore, there is nothing outside of our heads to be removed, navigated, torn down, set aside, or bridged.  

 

Continuing to believe and operate as if the lines of difference divide us perpetuates and worsens the genuine problems that plague and bedevil our organizations, communities, and world. Pointedly, this is why most leadership development, DEI, and organizational culture change efforts struggle and fall far short of the mark. Organizations cannot improve using the thinking currently holding them back. 

 

A new mindset is required to solve our problems—a transformational shift in how we see and think about ourselves and the nature of our relationships with others. That shift is:

From seeing ourselves as divided by differences to recognizing that what we are is separated by emotional distance.

Emotional distance is the emotional separation between people attributable solely to the lines of difference. Once we shift our mindset from difference to distance, we will quickly find that human-to-human relationships lie at the heart of every organizational success and failure. From here, the question should not be how are we different or similar, but how are we together? Are our relationships strong and resilient? Do we trust and care about each other? Do we know or only know about each other?

 

Organizations seeking dramatic change must make improving the quality of the relationships that form them their number one priority. 

 

Falker Consulting Group has pioneered the thinking behind the difference to distance mindset shift and is uniquely qualified to help organizations transform their cultures using it. 

Beyond Unconscious Bias and Anti-racism Training

The Connecting to People program is a striking new and better approach to inclusion training. Bold in its conception, it challenges virtually every assumption underlying traditional DEI training. As a result, participants leave with powerful new insights, actionable strategies, and concrete skills for helping them connect with others in today's increasingly diverse work communities.

Unlike many DEI training programs, which are by nature divisive, Connections brings people together, thus helping organizations develop truly inclusive cultures, where employees, regardless of their background, feel supportive of one another and know that they belong.

Organizations committed to the idea that inclusion is a goal worth pursuing but disillusioned with the lack of progress should consider this transformational approach. 

Fred has worked as an organizational development consultant for more than 30 years, helping organizations with performance management, customer service and diversity issues. It is with this vast experience that Fred has partnered with Chapman & Co. a leader in improving corporate culture, developing outstanding leaders, engaging employees, and creating strategic visions.

Let's face it. If CEO commitment statements, hiring accomplished DEI professionals, inclusion surveys, establishing ERGs, and changing policies and practices worked to produce inclusive cultures, organizations would have made much more progress in this area. But unfortunately, the truth is that these are "stroke of a pen" and "check the box" efforts that, while well-intentioned, struggle to produce meaningful change in organizational cultures.

The real work of establishing inclusive workplaces must come from leaders acting in ways that create feelings of belonging among all employees. That work takes time and organizational commitment to hire, promote, develop, and reward inclusive leaders.

The Inclusive Leadership course provides leaders, regardless of level and tenure, the mindset, insight, and practical tools needed to operate as inclusive leaders in any organizational setting. 

The Inclusive Leadership workshop moves leaders well past the dead-end of unconscious bias, allyship,  and antiracism training, which is clearly in vogue now. Instead, this workshop shows leaders how to create inclusive work cultures where people thrive, regardless of their background.

The Inclusive Leadership workshop moves leaders well past the dead-end of unconscious bias, allyship,  and antiracism training, which is clearly in vogue now. Instead, this workshop shows leaders how to create inclusive work cultures where people thrive, regardless of their background.