Many employees downplay their differences from each other at work to avoid drawing unwanted attention or making others uncomfortable. If you help your team feel comfortable being themselves in the office, they can focus on work rather than on hiding parts of their identities.
- Shift the language. When organizations talk about diversity, people tune out. Introduce the concept of covering, or hiding certain aspects of yourself, to not appear different. Most people have done it at some point in their careers. This opens up a new way to talk about differences.
- Share your story. Most of us have had experiences related to covering, whether we faced it ourselves or witnessed it in someone close to us. Start the dialogue and let others know it’s OK to do the same.
- Force the conversation. Build genuine connections with your employees, and speak up if they believe the corporate culture encourages covering.
Adapted from “
Help Your Employees Be Themselves at Work” by Dorie Clark and Christie Smith.
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