
Business cannot prosper through exclusion any more than a community prospers when it shuts out or neglects humans. How does it happen then? Whenever we view anybody as less valuable – it makes sense to the brain to cut them off or nudge them out, as a normal follow-up to that belief. ![]()
In other words the human brain creates action plans based on our core beliefs.
Take the case in
This Indian community views women as less valuable without a man beside them – “ Hindu widows are shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition -- and because they're seen as a financial drain on their families.”
Worse, they cannot do a thing to revoke their value in the eyes of others. “They cannot remarry. They must not wear jewelry. They are forced to shave their heads and typically wear white. Even their shadows are considered bad luck. “
What can we learn? Many tell us that diversity training as we know it - does not work. The key is to communicate more with those we tend to exclude – in order to get their views and suggestions to help reshape personal beliefs to include all humans … "Does it feel good?" says 70-year-old Rada Rani Biswas. "Now I have to loiter just for a bite to eat."
Biswas’ spirit was broken, after her husband of 50 years died, and she was ostracized by those she thought valued her, including her son. Her days are reduced to begging for a piece of bread.
"My son tells me: 'You have grown old. Now who is going to feed you? Go away,' " she says, her eyes filling with tears. "What do I do? My pain had no limit."
What about your workplace? Are there any there who’ve been nudged to the sidelines? Imagine what one of these would likely offer to your vision – if they sensed their offering's value to your circle. Imagine the loss when they don’t sense any worth.










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