Diversity Treaties
What would become of us without diversity? What would happen if we lived in a world where we were all clones?
May 20, 2024
These are questions we ask ourselves daily at ILUNION Hotels. In our view, without diversity, our society would be monotonous, limited, and meaningless. Closing the door to growth based on differences is a loss of a golden opportunity to question our assumptions, challenge ourselves to broaden our horizons, innovate, and promote critical thinking.
It is worth continuing this line of thought by adding the concept of uniqueness to the diversity equation. Both are integral to the human condition. We must recognise that each person is unique in terms of their ethnic, cultural, social, economic and religious background — among countless other aspects. Each of us has our own genetic DNA and our own diversity DNA.
Diversity and uniqueness are not opposites, but complementary. Diversity acknowledges the variety and richness of human experience, while uniqueness celebrates each individual’s singular nature within that broad spectrum. It is at the intersection of the two that we can truly understand a person’s essence — their most authentic self. Diversity and uniqueness are inseparable and essential for truly knowing each human being in all their complexity and beauty. They are two sides of the same coin. Uniqueness guarantees diversity.
In today’s increasingly interconnected and diverse world, effectively managing diversity has become a strategic priority for organisations. I’d like to dedicate a few lines to key megatrends in diversity management and how they are transforming inclusion and equity in the workplace. One of the most prominent is the shift towards a more holistic and multidimensional view of diversity.
From this perspective, companies are moving beyond birthplace, demographic or cultural background, generational identity, or lived experience. Diversity also includes physical, social, and emotional abilities. The most forward-thinking organisations are adopting integrated strategies that address all these dimensions simultaneously, enabling the creation of truly inclusive and equitable working environments.
Another important area is the growing use of technology and data to manage diversity within companies. Making data-driven decisions is essential. Monitoring a company’s diversity profile through quantitative information allows us to detect underrepresentation. While figures aren’t the end goal, they are essential to inform decisions. With the help of technological tools and AI, unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion can be identified and addressed.
Equity is becoming a fundamental pillar of diversity management in companies. Ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities to grow and develop within the company has become a priority for businesses. This brings a double benefit: organizations respect the principle of equity, not only by promoting diversity in terms of representation, but also by ensuring that highly qualified professionals contribute more and better to the teams they are part of. This entails implementing policies and practices that address systemic and structural inequalities, as well as fostering an organizational culture that values justice and equity in all their forms.
Organisations now operate in more diverse and international environments. Globalisation is driving cultural pluralism, making cultural awareness and sensitivity a vital skill for leaders and teams. Businesses are investing in intercultural training and leadership development to adapt to different communication styles, values, and cultural rules.
In today’s social climate, it is essential to bring out the diversity that stems from each person’s uniqueness, developing both in parallel, nurturing individual strengths while implementing policies to support collective growth.
At ILUNION Hotels, we aim to be disruptive and distinctive by becoming a benchmark for this holistic vision of diversity and uniqueness. To that end, we are launching innovative projects aligned with our purpose and the ideas expressed in this text.
