I have never been a contentious person. All my school years were staying behind of all things. Thanks to a lot of diversity movement incorporate, the innate quality of being quiet and introvert has gotten some recognition. For some time, I have asked myself what diversity and inclusion give us back? Personally, it gives me the power of believing in my strengths which help me overcome the fear, the hesitation and the doubt that was cast over me at times of difficulty. I started learning the diversity and inclusion, or the lack of and wondered how I would extract the positive intent out of it when as observed, there are more dominant groups learning how to protect themselves whereas the minority groups get emotional after learning what was behind the scene. I am getting to the brighter side, I think, taking advantages of the opportunities that are presented as the mainstream wants to fix the obvious diversity challenges. Seize the opportunities, there is nothing that feels better other than being stronger than the me as ever before.
Bringing it to a slightly bigger scale, diversity helps remove the blind spots, brings in the 360 perspectives, makes better choices, delivers team results better. 1) embrace changes 2) work-life balance 3) risk mitigation 4) team retention and career growth. When we present ideas, an open environment creates a safe haven that people ask or share questions, suggestions that may lead to even more possibilities of solving a specific problem. The conversations challenge what is already assumed and at the minimum helps the leaders anticipate the questions and the hidden dangers thus prepare for them.
Finally, we are in the retail industry, for the market share we've gained in the consumer credit, we benefit from having a diverse workforce gives us the opportunity to do business as well as to change life, get that empathy thinking in customer experience, well beyond reading a book on "unbanking of America" or research on underserved and unserved with a media agency. Mission, purpose, ethical is what we work for after all the mundane and forgetful transactions.
This was not planned. It had been difficult at times, and in prior years, I do feel a new lift and a new life is waiting for me. As I figure that being significant may not be a bashful thing that I need to avoid, but embrace, Xiaoming, embrace.
