I have a strong passion for diversity & inclusion. My passion for this important subject is personal. For a quarter of my life, I was never comfortable in my own skin and felt like I was not my true self. I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Over a decade later, I couldn’t be happier. Why? Simply, I am my authentic self. Since being true to myself, I couldn’t have a better life. Sure, life has its ups and downs but it truly is so much easier when YOU ARE YOU.
When you are your true self, you’ll notice that is when you are at your best. This includes coming up with great ideas and having a clearer vision. Obviously, this enhances your inner being but who else benefits? Hmm…Yes, you got it, your employer. Inclusion enhances performance which in return increases retention and an employer should also see higher revenue. Organizations with inclusive cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets. In order to be your authentic self, the employer needs you to be included. If you are not included, you are not going to be your true self. Therefore, it is essential for organizations to have an inclusive environment for all.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “No culture can live it if it attempts to be exclusive.” Inclusion refers to the degree to which diverse individuals are able to: use their voice, participate in the decision-making processes within a group, increase the amount of power they have within that group, and people of all backgrounds feeling like they actually belong.
On the same day, I presented to the Westchester Human Resource Management Association – SHRM Chapter about unconscious bias and how it impacts diversity & inclusion. I am very fortunate that I will also be a speaker about this very topic at the 2019 Garden State Council – SHRM Conference (GSC-SHRM) in October. Please check out my other blogs relating to D & I by clicking here for my blogs on SHRM and my personal site.
Anthony Paradiso is a HRBP/Senior Account Executive with Industrial U.I. Services, who specializes in unemployment insurance cost control. He is also a Senior Consultant with Point Made Learning. Anthony is very active with SHRM, as the Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair for the Garden State Council-SHRM (GSC-SHRM), as well as being the Director of Diversity & Inclusion with the North Jersey-Rockland SHRM chapter. Additionally, he is the GSC-SHRM Conference Social Media Chair and is an active member with NYC SHRM. Anthony regularly blogs for SHRM and attended #SHRM18 in Chicago as a #SHRM18Blogger. He is also the Bergen County Human Relations Commissioner and in the Good Neighbours Toastmasters club. Anthony received his BA from Binghamton University and his MS in Human Relations & Business from Amberton University and has his SHRM-CP Certification. If you would like to contact Anthony, please email him at aparadiso@live.com, follow him on Twitter @allthingzap, and connect on LinkedIn.
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