Today, most corporate firms promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their policies. However, whether these policies are truly effective on the ground is another matter. Their documents certainly highlight these terms, but we need to ask ourselves: even with these policies in place, what happens beyond them? Are these firms genuinely able to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces?
The answer is no. Policies alone are not enough. What most corporate firms lack is the will to implement them. According to mental health coach Alma, true change begins with the right mindset, culture, and compassion. Policies and documents may provide hope that something is being done, but real progress requires action beyond words. After all, doing something meaningful is far better than simply appearing to do something.
Emotional Intelligence in Professional Spaces
Even though policies advocate diversity and equity, employees on the ground still face discrimination based on gender, caste, region, religion, and more. Once, a female employee named Manya called Alma for help. Manya, who belonged to Meerut, had joined a popular MNC in Gurgaon but was badly treated by her colleagues because of her desi accent. Even after approaching the company’s HR manager, the situation didn’t improve.
So, Manya reached out to Alma, who then approached the MNC’s management. Alma emphasised the need to practise inclusion, diversity, and equity beyond limiting them to documentation. Because of her efforts, strict actions were taken against the employees involved. Some were warned, while others were even terminated.
Alma emphasised the importance of empathy, emotional awareness, and acceptance in daily interactions to effectively address diversity, equity, and inclusion. According to her, management should stay closely connected with employees and use tools like emotional intelligence to identify whether anyone is facing discrimination of any kind.
Compassion as a Leadership Value
Only compassionate leadership can tackle these kinds of challenges. The management and HR teams often do not work very closely with employees, but it is the team leader who knows everything happening on the ground. If the team leader is compassionate, he or she will ensure that every employee working under their leadership is not only productive but also follows the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This way, all employees can work in harmony without being subjected to any form of discrimination. It is the compassionate leader who brings these policies to life in their true sense. According to mental health coach Alma, it is the responsibility of every employee to ensure that DEI guidelines are followed in the workplace. Organisations should provide the right guidance through coaching, mindfulness practices, and open communication with leaders and management. This support can help employees
Acceptance in Action Means Embracing Inclusion, Not Just Meeting Quotas
Most corporate firms think that inclusion is only about hiring, but this is not true. True inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging, emotional safety, and psychological trust. Employees need opportunities to interact with one another because the more they communicate, the better they will understand each other. Workplaces should encourage initiatives such as storytelling circles, open dialogue sessions, and DEI coaching to foster a culture of connection and understanding.
Alma was invited to a corporate office in Noida, where she noticed that everyone was working seriously, with hardly any interaction among employees. During her corporate training, she made sure to create a more engaging and interactive atmosphere. She later discovered that this was the first time many employees had interacted with each other. At workplaces like these, where there is minimal interaction among employees, the question arises: how can organisations ensure that DEI policies are truly implemented?
How to Build a Culture of Compassion and Acceptance in a Workplace
If corporate firms want their workplace culture to reflect compassion and acceptance, they must focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Alma, a mental health coach in Gurgaon and Noida, often emphasises the importance of creating a friendly environment where employees feel included and treated equitably. Here are some ways to build a culture of compassion and acceptance in your workplace:
- Avoid Tokenism: While hiring a candidate, HR must avoid tokenism. This means they should not hire someone just to fill vacancy quotas. Only candidates selected based on genuine talent and performance should be hired.
- Inclusive Hiring Practices: While avoiding tokenism is important, equally important are inclusive hiring practices. Management should hire candidates from diverse backgrounds, regions, and genders to ensure the workplace becomes truly inclusive.
- Healthy Employee-to-Employee Interaction: Employee-to-employee interaction is crucial for the growth of an organisation. After all, working in an office is all about cooperation, and cooperation is not possible if employees do not interact with one another.
- Regular Feedback from Employees: HR and management should take regular feedback from employees regarding the work culture in the office. This is important to ensure that employees are not harassed by fellow employees or team leaders based on religion, region, gender, or the language they speak.
- Compassion-Based Training: Companies should organise workshops specially designed for employees and leaders to help them develop empathy, emotional awareness, and kindness. The sole purpose of this compassion-based training is to ensure that DEI norms are genuinely followed in practice, rather than merely existing on paper for show.
Final Thoughts
Policies are just the foundation, but culture is what people experience every day. This doesn’t mean that policies are unimportant, but workplace culture ultimately matters the most. Real compassion and acceptance are reflected in conversations, reactions, and leadership styles. If you are looking for a mental health coach in Gurgaon, Noida, Delhi, or the entire NCR, you can reach out to Alma. With extensive experience as a corporate trainer and life coach, Alma has made a lasting impact in many top MNCs, where she is regularly invited to conduct sessions.
If you want to transform your office culture or boost productivity, you should schedule a meeting with Alma. Let your workplace become an inclusive space where employees can grow without worry, and we will help you make that happen.