Dr. B's Blog

When attempting to understand how inclusion helps all of us, it is important to remember, not only do we live up to people’s expectations . . . we live down to them too. If we do not expect much of others, we won’t get much from them. It matters less what the message is I think I send. What matters most is the message received. So whether we believe we can or cannot build an organization of inclusiveness, commitment, and engaging diversity . . . either way we are correct.

The messages we send are most often grounded in our personal belief and value systems. Our beliefs tend to control just about everything about our behaviors. Sometimes we are blinded by our own beliefs and values to the exclusion of seeing new paths that would light our way.

There is a story told (author unknown) of a man who was looking for his keys. He was looking for them under the bright street light. His neighbors saw him and came out to help him find his keys. Finally one neighbor asked him where he lost his keys. The man said, “Inside my house.” Stunned, the neighbor asked, “Then why are you looking for them out here?” The man said, “Because there is more light out here.”

Now, we may laugh at this silly man who was blinded by his beliefs, but how many of us are equally blinded by beliefs about others that are just as silly . . . just as negative . . . and just as useless? If we are not being a part of the solution, we are part of the problem. Are you part of your team’s problem?

What do you think?

Dr. B