Rethinking Diversity: The Shift from Demographics to Emotional Intelligence and Inclusion
By – Tarun Agarwala
Recent developments, such as McDonald’s decision to retire its diversity targets and rebrand its diversity team as the “Global Inclusion Team,” underscore the challenges of measuring diversity success through demographic metrics alone. This shift reflects a growing understanding of the importance of focusing on inclusion as a key measure.
Exclusively relying on demographic data can miss the deeper objective of building high emotional intelligence and directing it towards favourable empathy, both critical for fostering true inclusion.
India’s progress as a civilization serves as a prime example. The nation’s strength does not stem from an equal distribution of its population across religious groups, yet it continues to thrive. This success is often attributed to its culture of inclusion, which is rooted in understanding the vast spectrum of emotions shaped by its highly diverse cultures (including languages). This culture typically leads to actions that create win-win outcomes, fostering sustainability for all involved. While far from perfect, it represents a compelling example of what could be achieved.
The Prisoner’s Dilemma in game theory demonstrates that the optimal outcome for all parties arises from cooperative strategies, rather than dominant, self-serving ones. In a similar vein, organizational success is more likely when efforts are dedicated to cultivating inclusive environments. Therefore, measuring diversity should shift its focus away from demographic numbers and towards the growth of cross-cultural emotional intelligence and the development of favourable-empathy habits.
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