I left corporate at a very tender age, I was 25 when I decided to pursue a business career. My entrepreneurial journey was not an easy one, it was lonely at best. However, reflective on those few years spent in the corporate world, I vaguely remember the pressure, albeit subtle, to fit in or ship out. Infact, those days, there was a ‘’corporate culture’’ that even university prepared you for. You were taught in your Psychology major, how to ‘’fit into an organization’’ it was auspicious and would yield you a favorable outcome if you mastered it. The culture was not one of inclusion and diversity, no, this culture was one where you fitted into a pre-existing mold, which you dared not defy nor break. The culture vast and all encompassing, but not inclusive, no, not in the least. Back then, you were a square peg in a round hole and that was not a compliment..
Fast forward to 20 years later. Progress. Not enough yet, but notable.
Today an inclusive culture is one in which employees feel adequately represented, understood and accommodated. It is not one of fitting in, but one of acceptance in otherness.
Today, the culture of an organization is defined by its leadership, the people in that particular organization, the policies, governance and reputation. Most definitely not by a collective industrywide, countrywide and nationwide corporate ethos that includes all but excludes most.
These days, companies seek better ways to understand the needs of their employees. Employees are encouraged to embrace who they are, sensitized about who others are and taught to accept, through practice, rather than forcefully through conformity.
About the author:
Nontobeko Mdhluli is passionate about diversity & Inclusion and is a board member at the SAE4D.
She is the Founder Director at Zanati Group
www.zanatigroup.co.za
