Nowadays, diversity in the workplace is not much about who is in the room, but more about who is heard, valued and empowered to express an opinion, make decisions and lead a project. The future should be marked by the diversity of the societies that they are a part of, not only in numbers but also in influence. “Representation is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance,” says inclusion advocate Verna Myers. But that’s not enough anymore.  Inclusivity means being asked to help plan and execute the party, choose the aesthetics and take over responsibilities. Representation should be authentic and intersectional in every step of decision-making.

Diversity in the workplace will only lead to different ideas and experiences. The varied perspectives can bring new ideas and innovative decisions while adapting to different types of people. A 2020 McKinsey study found that companies with ethnic and gender diversity in executive teams were 25-36% more likely to outperform financially. If you’re not intentionally included, you’re probably unintentionally excluded. In conclusion, when people from different backgrounds are meaningfully included, organizations benefit.

People carry multiple identities, and they intersect. That is the beauty of inclusivity. Very often, inclusive efforts by organizations are one-dimensional and somehow shallow, focused solely on gender or ethnicity. But people have multiple stories. True inclusivity means counting these layers too. It’s not enough to hire for diversity, we must also share power, listen actively, and embed inclusion into decision-making processes. Employees seek acceptance in their work life just like in their personal life. When they can be themselves at work, they are able to focus more on their responsibilities instead of worrying about what others have to say about them. Diverse teams are more likely to understand customers’ needs because they can relate to them.  Equal opportunities make people proud and happy about the company they work for. That way the company is more possible to grow and evolve.

The Fit for the Future project empowers organizations to embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity through a system thinking approach. We provide innovative tools and resources to assess organizational culture, overcome barriers to inclusivity, and foster regenerative leadership. Through targeted training for managers, HR professionals, and educators, we promote new leadership practices that inspire collaboration, create value, and ensure thriving ecosystems. Our goal is to create safe, inclusive work and study environments where everyone feels empowered to succeed. The main aim of the Fit for the Future project is to raise awareness and promote regenerative culture at all levels in vocational and educational training organisations, providing them with tools and materials to develop “Regenerative Pathways” to apply in their organizations.

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