How you can help your office be more diverse

In 2009, I graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a master’s in gender. I’d read Judith Butler, Hélène Cixous, and Simone de Beauvoir, and I was on a mission to change the world. Yes, I was ready to work, but I wanted more; I wanted to make the office a fairer and more inclusive place.

I may have known the subject academically, but I didn’t know that the world of feminist philosophy and the realities of the modern workplace reside in different galaxies. Six years and several jobs in politics and corporate finance later, I’ve learned how to put the theory into practice as well as how to show leadership on diversity — wherever you are in your career.

1. Learn what diversity actually means

A common mistake people make is to think diversity only pertains to race and gender. It’s completely understandable: Whether we’re male or female, black or white, gender and race are social characteristics we notice about each other almost immediately. Just remember, diversity also includes characteristics you may not be able to see, like disability, sexuality, and religious beliefs.

This post was first published by the The Muse. A few days later it found its way onto Mashable where it was shared more than 2,700 times! It’s worth clicking here to read on, right?