I recently had a virtual conversation with Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of AKQA.
It opened my mind.
Ajaz started an organization that is one of the most creative organizations of our time.
It is a place where talents of different disciplines come to create experiences unlike anything else.
This company checks all the boxes you expect from a creative superlandia:
Ajaz, a migrant founder in the UK, has something to say about creating a culture where global talents feel at home to create work they could not create anywhere else.
One thing he said stuck with me:
“Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, and belonging is having the opportunity to choose a song from the playlist.
This is brilliant thinking.
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging are markers on a scale.
Ajaz’s organization is at the forefront of creativity, because it doesn’t stop at diversity.
It aims for belonging.
To create a truly remarkable work culture, you must create belonging spaces.
But how?
I often work with founders and CEOs who need support in thinking this through.
If you don’t come from a migrant background like Ajaz's, understanding the power of belonging can be difficult.
Understandable.
After all, how can you understand non-belonging if you always “belonged.”
This is why I chose to start this conversation through the lens of power.
Because you can't design places of belonging without awareness of power and your role in it.
We will now descend into territory that doesn’t always feel comfortable.
Put on your life jacket first. Note opinions that come up while reading this. And don’t forget to enjoy the stimulation:
Great power comes with great responsibility:
Power goes beyond fancy job titles.
Power is brutal.
Power shapes how able you are to choose your own and others
→ actions
→ behaviors
→ & opinions.
#theforceiswithyouliterally
Power = your ability to control outcomes.
I adapted a model to help you become more aware of how much POWER you have.
Check yourself on the wheel of privilege:
Are you
a) Heterosexual
Yes ( ) No ( )
b) White
Yes ( ) No ( )
c) With Citizenship
Yes ( ) No ( )
d) Able-bodied (no-health and body issues)
Yes ( ) No ( )
e) University-educated
Yes ( ) No ( )
f) Executive
Yes ( ) No ( )
If you said yes more than 3 times, you hold significantly more power than others.
What does that mean?
→ You have more ability to shape this world than others.
But what does that mean in real life?
→ It means that you have held significantly more privileges than others.
Most of which you are probably not even aware of.
#youarethedisneyprincess
What is the effect if your power is unchecked?
It starts embarrassing.
It ends tragically.
The route to unchecked power goes like this.
You say things where minorities cringe.
#youneverknewbetter
…….You create spaces where some don't feel at home.
#theywithdrawtosafetheirass
……You only see your world and impose actions that hurt others.
#privilegestrikesback
Yep, that’s a lot to carry on your shoulders.
But you can choose how to wield your power.
Evil Sith Lord or young Skywalker?
Just know that you have to make that choice.
If you want to rise to your responsibility, there is no shortcut
#putintheworkyoumust
How can you handle your responsibility as a leader in the best way that benefits everyone?
Here is the first recipe you can use with the spaces you lead.
These 3 moves will help you create spaces of belonging:
A. Seek what you don't know:
Actively seek the viewpoints of people not fortunate enough to be at the center of the wheel of privilege. Training, conversations, and experiences help you to widen the range of what you see.
→ Awareness does not come to you; you have to seek it.
B. Hand the playlist to others:
"Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, and belonging is having the opportunity to choose a song from the playlist." Create spaces where non-privileged individuals can set the playlist to dance to.
→ stop being the DJ.
C. Play Aikido with your Insecurities:
Notice your defenses coming up. Once we share or give away "power," it feels threatening. You won't hold the reign at all costs anymore, which makes you vulnerable. Instead of closing down, notice that vulnerability. Play Aikido with it.
→ Sharing your vulnerability will make the space safer for all.
“Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, and belonging is having the opportunity to choose a song from the playlist."
Places of belonging are essential to creating work that is bigger than yourself.
I will spare you the data on why diverse teams beat teams stuck in their bubble.
Because that is not what it is about.
Frankly:
If your workplace is a place of belonging, you and everyone around you will feel more human showing up.
And that quality of being plays in an entirely different league.
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