valeriegd's posterous http://valeriegd.posterous.com Most recent posts at valeriegd's posterous posterous.com Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:32:12 -0700 Rural Inclusiveness in Switzerland http://valeriegd.posterous.com/rural-inclusiveness-in-switzerland http://valeriegd.posterous.com/rural-inclusiveness-in-switzerland

Last week when on vacation in Ticino I was taking a morning hike while it was still cool.  It was an amazing morning, blue skies, almost nobody around – pretty normal for 1400m and the pleasant sound of Swiss cow bells.  As I turned a corner I realised that I was not the only person out there - the cows were also out for their morning constitutional – and were just as surprised to see me.  Now I had always assumed that cows are nice docile animals – a bit big but docile – wrong!  I was confronted by a very large fierce looking cow who glared at me.  I was about to bypass her when she actively blocked my path and looked even more furious.  A few seconds later the reason was obvious as a Disney like calf meandered into the picture, looked even more surprised, made cow like noises to Mama which roughly translated from Italian cowish to – Mom what the hell is she doing here!  This is our territory…

So strategic thinkers start working out their options – reverse, stand ground and pray or advance.  Being an animal lover I choose to reverse a bit and admire the flowers.  This allowed calf plus mama to put a distance between us and for them to continue their journey

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So what does this have to do with diversity and inclusion?  Think for a moment about your professional environments.  Well established professionals, who know the area, understand the rules of engagement; consider themselves owners of the area.  Add in a few new recruits or even other professionals - who look different – gender, race, age, you pick.  Could you imagine a scene like I just described?  Ask yourself how inclusive is your company and professional environment.  Do you glare at newcomers or welcome them…..   What can organisations and people do to be more inclusive?

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/535183/Valerie_3.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5AAZPIUR8fm1 Valerie Guertler-Doyle valeriegd Valerie Guertler-Doyle