A community commitment

If we believe that a vibrant community is a powerful determinant of people’s ability to achieve and grow at work – and the joy they experience as a result of them – then how should we show up in our 'work' community?

To me, tolerance is key element of community. For example, it is vital to our creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Without tolerance and grace, and a commitment to value the person more than winning the argument, diversity and inclusion efforts will be resisted by many; movement will be halting and sometimes off-target, and we won’t achieve a truly inclusive workplace.

Here's my take on how we can create a healthy community at work.

Be an ardent, positive, culturally-alive member of the community. 

The 'work' community benefits from diversity, and this shouldn’t be a sanitized form of diversity that requires people to check their beliefs, culture or identity at the door. I’ve heard people say “We should be ambassadors of our culture.” I like this metaphor, because a good ambassador doesn’t simply demand things for their side, but deeply understands the needs of the other party, and skillfully and astutely helps others to understand their point of view, too. So, come to work with conviction, and be passionate about your role in making a better society, but be sure to bring your best self so that your passion is persuasive, rather than noxious to others -- and therefore leads to progress.

Value people who differ from me, and respect their beliefs and culture. 

While I should accept that my beliefs are true (otherwise I shouldn’t believe them!), it doesn’t mean it is my job to judge other people and their beliefs. I don’t know their hearts and minds, I don’t know their backgrounds, I don’t know their experiences – so I’m poorly equipped to judge them. So even if we don’t agree today, there remains an opportunity for both of us to grow and learn tomorrow.

Appreciate that freedom still demands discernment. 

While I may be free to state what I believe, that doesn’t mean that I should say what I believe to every person at every opportunity. As part of a community, my words are to edify people – and this can include strong words of challenge – but not to dominate or coerce. We should be cautious about simply repeating slogans. These usually oversimplify a complex issue and may discourage dialogue by implying that anyone who doesn’t endorse the slogan is bad. Lasting social change requires a movement of people’s hearts that depends on a healthy exchange of ideas.

Accept the person, even when I can’t accept their belief. 

To remain in a community with people, I must not write them off or demonize them, even when we can’t agree on essential matters. If we remain in a community, we may still better one another. But if I break with a peer, we have no chance of reaching mutual understanding. My mother always taught me that I should be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” -- because people’s anger usually leads to more anger, rather than progress. I’ve found this to be very sound advice for nurturing constructive relationships and creating a healthy community. And I could have avoided a lot of unconstructive conflict and misunderstanding if I had only practiced it more!