While researching inclusion and diversity ethics for a business advisory code of conduct agreement for my company RCN Asia it became clear that leadership diversity can have a positive impact on influencing organisational, societal and community fairness.
Nature teaches us that ecosystems benefit greatly from biodiversity. our genetic code also greatly benefits from genetic diversity. Our teams greatly benefit from complimentary diversity of talent and skills.
I note that both Microsoft and Apple have very good inclusion and diversity ethics, hard coded into employment and partner agreements. I have invested considerable time into studying these agreements.
Corporate responsibility divested into diversity and inclusion is important, because this sets a standard by which all companies and organisations can aspire to rise to become genuinely representative of people.
Diversity and inclusion suggests that no person will be marginalised due to their race, gender or lifestyle choices and rather, everyone will have the equal opportunity to rise based on skill.
A good example of the positive impact of diversity and inclusion can be found in the person of Tim Cook, a gay man who leads the worlds most valuable company.
It wasn’t that long ago that people were imprisoned or killed for being gay. Even in modern times, it was particularly brave of Tim Cook to “come out”, given the potential impact from conservative customers of Apple.
In reality, Apple has gone from strength to strength under Tim’s superb leadership.
The world is changing and needs to continue to change.
It is inappropriate for any human being to be degraded by any other human being, through any kind of prejudicial marginalisation, based on their gender, race or lifestyle choices.
I am determined to end the predilection towards organisations selecting middle aged white men for governance.
I am focused instead of making sure that I develop an egalitarian organisation, which is genuinely representative of the next generation of people who will lead society beyond colonialism and white, male prejudice or supremacy.
Which is ironic, because I am myself a middle aged white man.
In which case, the sooner I can build my organisation so that I can step aside to make room for more diverse leadership, the better.
Glyn MacLean | Founder RCN Asia | Creator of Asia Engage App
