How diverse do we need to be?

Law firms and other businesses that fall into the trap of being ‘diversish’ risk missing out on a range of benefits that could help their people and operations, writes Leonie Green.

I came across a video a few years ago about what “diversish” looks like and found myself uncomfortably giggling at the concept.

The video is worth a watch, but in essence diversish refers to a scenario when we say we value diversity and inclusion while not really understanding what that means to those who are ‘divergent’ from ‘the norm’ of an environment. We might say we value diversity and inclusion, without challenging ourselves to seriously consider what that means for us, for our firms, and why we might value it.

It’s fascinating what comedy can provide by way of education and reflection… or a mirror. Recently, the ALPMA HR Day 2023 had the theme of Embracing Difference and opened with a presentation by workplace dynamics expert Callum McKirdy as keynote speaker. I still find myself reflecting on the a-ha moments I had in Callum’s presentation and have been reflecting on how often we force our workplaces and our employees to work in a neurotypical way, rather than leaning into understanding how we can get the best from our employees who are neurodivergent.

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