3 Steps To Equality Literacy

The more I work in the area of achieving and upholding equality in the workplace, the more I see that emotional intelligence, emotional literacy and emotional management are FUNDAMENTAL skills to achieving equality.

Here’s just one parallel that’s key with a process we might call ‘equality literacy’…

Step 1: It starts with being aware of the emotion(s) causing the discomfort; or being aware that inequality is at play and causing the disruption.

Step 2: Then it’s about being able to express, verbalise and name the emotion(a); or the tactic(s) used to uphold inequality.

Step 3: Finally it’s about how to better equip oneself to hold and process that emotion so that it doesn’t cause you to act in ways that harm others because you can’t yet hold the discomfort; or how to stop yourself or others from upholding inequality and harming others using the named tactic(s).

Here’s a pertinent way to practice this, especially step 2: Name the tactics at play with the ‘resignation’ of Claudine Gay.

Let’s all start naming the emotions and tactics for what they are, shall we?

I’ll start with a couple: Diversity hire and unequal/unreasonable/higher standards.

Your turn…