For those who wish to be a positive influence on the world and an ally to those around them, the value of developing a DEI mindset can not be overstated. Humans are social creatures, and community building is a key pillar of health and happiness in every culture. Historically, one’s community was small and largely homogeneous, as it was limited only to those in the immediate area. The impact of supporting friends and neighbors in such a small space was clear and easy to perceive. Yet, with the rise of global travel and the internet, what defines a community has changed. We are no longer limited to connections in one geographic location, but rather empowered to connect with people across the world based on shared values, goals, and experiences.
Doing the Right Thing, Not the Easy Thing
A DEI mindset means openness to those new people, ideas, and ways of thinking, and is beneficial to everyone. In private spheres of life, it can lead to improved relationships and happier home lives. In the public sphere, diversity, equity, and inclusion boost productivity and innovation at work. However, developing a DEI mindset and performing allyship can be easier said than done.
Our modern, more diverse existence can be a challenge for the unprepared, so learning to accept and appreciate the inherent differences between people is the path forward that we all face today. When there is someone to help guide your way, progressing past implicit biases can seem so much more attainable. Finding allies in our communities and workplaces can be a helpful way to learn how to change our thinking. An ally is a member of a dominant group who helps and supports members of a marginalized group. For example, a male ally is a man who actively promotes gender equality and equity through public acts of sponsorship and advocacy to uplift women, and a straight ally is a heterosexual who supports equal rights and fair treatment for members of the LGBTQ community.
“Fostering” Your DEI Mindset
Mr. Daidō from Takamatsu Construction can vouch for the importance of allyship. Daidō is a foster parent (a rarity in Japan), and he credits his wife for this path they have taken. His wife, influenced by her mother’s experience teaching at a special-needs school and her own full-time work advocating for people with disabilities, had always wanted to help children in need.
Daidō’s wholehearted support for his wife’s career and life goals meant that seven years ago, they successfully became foster parents. Daidō has happily taken on childcare responsibilities and says he enjoys doing the laundry and cleaning for his family. He says that there have been challenges along the way, balancing parenthood with two full-time working parents. Sharing household tasks considering each person’s strengths and weaknesses is what allows things to keep running smoothly.
Mr. Daido from Takamatsu Construction Co., Ltd.
In the workplace, Daidō hesitates to call himself an ally. He often reads stories about different types of adversity and discrimination that he had never heard about before, and it disheartens him to hear that people invisibly face these difficulties. While he is working very hard to continuously develop his DEI mindset, he says he still has a lot to learn and do before he can consider himself a true ally.
Credit: Japan Children Support Association
We Are Our Own Worst Critics; Others See Us Differently
One of Daidō’s colleages sees him differently. She says that Daidō treats everyone fairly, regardless of gender. Although he is a senior level manager, she admires how he recognizes and is willing to directly address the ways his younger, female staff contribute not only to the workplace but also to his own understanding. He tells them, “Thank you for helping me realize something that I didn’t know.” This acknowledgement can be rare in male-dominated workplaces and industries, like construction, so she can clearly see and appreciate Daidō’s mindset.
In the fight for equity and inclusion for diverse populations, minorities can’t do it on their own. As you work to develop your own DEI mindset, don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress. An ally isn’t expected to know everything and change the world. As long as you try your best to learn and better the conditions for others, you can be an ally for everyone around you.
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