Inclusiveness is a value that has gained prominence in recent times. It promotes equality, diversity, and the acceptance of all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or other characteristics. While the pursuit of inclusiveness is often seen as a positive and noble objective, there is a growing concern about the curse of inclusiveness. One of the main criticisms of inclusiveness is that it can lead to lowered standards or a dilution of quality. When the focus shifts towards ensuring that everyone feels included, there is a risk of compromising excellence. This can be observed in various fields, such as education or employment, where the emphasis on inclusiveness sometimes results in the lowering of standards or the abandonment of merit-based systems.
This model demonstrates that people who succeed often acquire their talent because of the development attention they have received, and it shows how to create a culture of inclusion and development to unlock employee potential and productivity. The Power of Inclusion addresses common beliefs and behaviors that are barriers to true inclusion:
The film Conspiracy depicts the meeting, which over a few hours of bureaucratic wrangling what philosopher Hannah Arendt calls the banality of evil made concentration camps like Auschwitz part of the official German state apparatus. The advantages of inclusion and diversity in the workplace are numerous, with main benefits including a large pool of talent, a positive culture, and mutual respect throughout.
This can be observed in various fields, such as education or employment, where the emphasis on inclusiveness sometimes results in the lowering of standards or the abandonment of merit-based systems. Another consequence of the curse of inclusiveness is the suppression of free speech and the stifling of intellectual diversity. In an attempt to create a safe and inclusive environment, certain ideas or viewpoints may be deemed offensive or harmful and therefore silenced.
The conformity curse delays progress on diversity and inclusion
Conformity is part of our DNA, a useful attribute to ensure the continuation of the species by minimising conflict and maximising cooperation. But it is also the main impediment to creating a more diverse, inclusive workforce, as evidenced by the glacial pace of progress on gender equality. Karina Robinson writes that there are times when we need not to conform. She says that the courage to step outside the consensus and make a stand, however lonely, is crucial.
At 7:30am on a January winter day, as I bent down to pick up my Norfolk Terrier’s poo in the park, I regretted the absence of anyone to watch the careful operation. How ludicrous to want to demonstrate that I was a responsible member of society! Yet from poos to parties, conformity to the norm is the rock upon which society is built. It is part of our DNA, a useful attribute to ensure the continuation of the human race by minimising conflict and maximising cooperation.
Conformity is also the main impediment to creating a more diverse, inclusive workforce.
Subconscious biases are part of this. Cambridge historian Mary Beard argues that our mental, cultural template for a powerful person remains resolutely male, admitting that even for a feminist professor like her, ‘the cultural stereotype is so strong that, at the level of close-your-eyes fantasies, it is still hard for me to imagine me, or someone like me, in my role.”
It is therefore not surprising that, globally, the share of female members of parliaments has risen from a minimal 15 per cent in 2006 to only 23 per cent in 2022, according to the latest World Economic Forum global gender gap report. Rarely do they get promoted. The average share of women in ministerial positions has risen from only 10 per cent to just 16 per cent. At this rate of progress, it will take 155 years to close the political gender gap.
Despite a host of initiatives, the corporate world is also moving at a glacial pace. Only one in four C-suite leaders in the US is female, notes the latest McKinsey report on Women in the Workplace. Meanwhile, the number of female CEOs in the FTSE-350 largest companies in the UK is unchanged from 2016 to 2021– only 18, notes Statista.
Apart from issues of fairness and a more diverse perspective, fishing for talent in a bigger pool is the only way to fill both the existing large number of job vacancies and future ones. International Longevity Centre research shows a potential shortfall of 2.6m workers by 2030.
The ease of conformity contrasts with the hard work of creating change. Denise Wilson, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, says: “I am often asked what is the silver bullet, the one thing that an organisation should do to drive progress. Regrettably, there is no such magic. Improving diversity means a multi-year, multi- layered approach. It requires systematic change and taking on a system that has worked very well for some but excludes others.”
There are times when the courage to step outside the consensus and make a stand, however lonely, is crucial.
January 2022 was the 80 th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, where 15 members of the Nazi high command and the SS agreed the ‘Final Solution’ for the Jews. The film Conspiracy depicts the meeting, which over a few hours of bureaucratic wrangling – what philosopher Hannah Arendt calls the ‘banality of evil’ – made concentration camps like Auschwitz part of the official German state apparatus. The Kenneth Branaugh film depicts two officials who attempted to halt, or at least slow, the process. They were, ultimately, intimidated into laying misgivings to rest.
Also in January 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was under fire for a series of parties held at 10 Downing Street at a time when the country was in lockdown, when many families were torn apart from their loved ones, especially elderly ones. Before the scandal broke out, the belief that ‘we are all in this together’ had been a comfort. Conforming to self-sacrificing rules for the health of society took its toll on the physical and mental health of the nation.
Being told what to do by rule-makers who turned out to be rule-breakers undermined the basis of our social contract. That is why the Downing Street parties were the beginning of the end for the prime minister, while other misdemeanours have been feather-like in their effect on the government’s standing, such as the awarding of COVID-related contracts to unqualified recipients, or the Dominic Cummings’s imbroglios.
It may seem a far stretch to tumble together dog poo, diversity and inclusion, the Holocaust, and a government under fire – in fact, downright disrespectful. In no way is this meant to offend. But as we head into a year that is likely to be one of great upheaval (given the war in Ukraine, rising rates, and China’s reopening), let us reflect on how to reconcile the need for acceptance and the need to stand apart from the norm in our search for a more diverse and inclusive society.
- This blog postrepresents the views of its author(s), not the position ofLSE Business Review or the London School of Economics.
- Featured image by David Rotimi on Unsplash
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This can have a detrimental effect on intellectual growth and the pursuit of truth, as the diversity of perspectives is essential for robust and meaningful debates. Furthermore, the curse of inclusiveness can lead to the formation of echo chambers, where individuals surround themselves with like-minded people and avoid engaging with differing opinions. This results in a lack of critical thinking and a failure to challenge one's own beliefs. Inclusiveness, when taken to an extreme, can unintentionally create homogeneous groups that discourage diversity of thought. There is also a concern that excessive inclusiveness can diminish personal responsibility and accountability. When individuals are constantly shielded from the consequences of their actions and decisions, they may become complacent or entitled. Inclusiveness should not absolve people of their obligations to society or promote a culture of victimhood. In conclusion, while inclusiveness is an important value, there are valid concerns about the curse of inclusiveness. It is crucial to strike a balance between inclusiveness and other values such as excellence, intellectual diversity, and personal responsibility. Embracing inclusiveness should not come at the expense of compromising standards or stifling diverse perspectives. Society must navigate the complexities of inclusiveness while remaining mindful of its potential pitfalls and unintended consequences..
Reviews for "The Pitfalls of Inclusive Education: Are We Leaving Some Children Behind?"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Curse of Inclusiveness" to be extremely disappointing and poorly executed. While the idea of promoting inclusivity and diversity is an important one, this show seemed to prioritize it over quality storytelling. The writing was lackluster and filled with forced dialogue that felt unnatural. The characters lacked depth and development, and it seemed like they were chosen solely for representing various demographics rather than their actual contributions to the plot. Overall, this show felt more like a checklist of inclusivity than a genuine effort to create compelling content.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Curse of Inclusiveness" as a show that aimed to tackle important social issues. However, I was disappointed in how heavy-handed and on-the-nose the execution was. Instead of weaving inclusivity into the narrative seamlessly, it felt forced and contrived. The dialogue was often preachy, lacking subtlety and nuance. Furthermore, the plot took a backseat to the show's agenda, leaving the storytelling feeling disjointed and unfocused. While I commend the intention, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
"Curse of Inclusiveness" felt more like a tokenistic attempt at representation rather than a genuine exploration of diverse perspectives. The characters were one-dimensional and seemed to exist solely to fulfill specific quotas of representation. This approach undermined the potential for authentic character development and meaningful storytelling. Additionally, the show's attempt at addressing social issues often came across as heavy-handed and preachy, lacking the complexity and nuance necessary for a thoughtful exploration. Overall, I was disappointed in how the show handled inclusiveness and found it to be a missed opportunity for genuine representation.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Curse of Inclusiveness" to be a prime example of performative activism in the entertainment industry. While diversity and representation are crucial, this show seemed more interested in ticking boxes than in delivering compelling storytelling. The character arcs were shallow and predictable, and the dialogue often felt forced and unnatural. It's disheartening to see such an important topic being trivialized in this way. I was hoping for a show that would challenge societal norms, but instead, I found myself cringing at the superficial attempt at inclusivity on display.