Values and respects all people

Acts professionally, values, and treats people with respect in all situations.

• Shows awareness of their own body language, tone of voice and facial expressions
• Articulates one’s own ideas and needs for others
• Responds to concerns by altering one’s own behaviour in a helpful, “responsive” manner
• Is aware of their own culture and value differences
• Examines one’s own unconscious bias and assumptions in language and stereotypical responses
• Practices behaviors that reflect an understanding and appreciation of diversity
• Shows understanding of people’s experience of personal trauma and develops coping strategies for self
• Values diversity and seeks out opportunities to gain new knowledge through relationships with people who are different from oneself
• Understands and respects differences in culture, working style and priorities, and tailors approach to deal with an issue/situation accordingly
• Recognizes prejudices and systematic barriers which may exist within the current environment, posing a limitation to participation and inclusion
• Seeks to understand the individual person rather than seeing the person as a representative of a group

Contributes to creating a safe space for everyone

• Takes responsibility for actions and seeks to understand diverse points of view
• Produces good results when working with others by displaying tact, cooperation, sensitivity and respect for the opinions and situations of others and their culture
• Recognizes potential experiences of trauma in others and adopts trauma informed practices
• Practices allyship with individuals who are different from themselves and adapts behaviour to support others
• Values the involvement of those who have a broad base of experience and backgrounds
• Advocates toward an inclusive workplace through individual behaviour and solutions and encourages others to do the same
• Works well with others, keeping in mind the many dimensions of diversity, and addresses/corrects practices and behaviours that do not support inclusion and belonging
• Encourages all team members (colleagues, family members, individuals, etc.) to participate and offer ideas, opinions or solutions and creates the space for others to contribute
• Creates an atmosphere of valuing and accepting others. Actively and intentionally engages with diverse groups, where each person is valued and provided with the opportunity to participate fully in creating a successful and thriving community
• Demonstrates an open mindset and deep curiosity about others, listens without judgment, and with empathy, seeks to understand those around them

Creates a sense of belonging for everyone

• Takes a careful read of the atmosphere to accurately anticipate how individuals and groups will react, and tailors approach accordingly, pushing forward or holding back, as necessary
• Builds cohesion among the team to feel a sense of belonging by sincerely caring for what people are experiencing and acts accordingly
• Identifies and addresses barriers that prevent the full participation and access of equity-deserving groups
• Coaches, educates and confronts others whose behaviours or actions are contrary to appreciating and accepting diversity
• Actively promotes the value of diversity through planned and visible activities aimed at building sensitivity to, and support for others
• Ensures fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all
• Recognizes the impact of systematic marginalization and seeks to apply a trauma informed approach to equity deserving groups
• Effectively leads diverse groups and builds consensus
• Challenges and navigates difficult conversations around the topics of equity and inclusivity
• Gives feedback openly and respectfully about behaviours that are negatively impacting others without discouraging
• Empowers others to use their differences effectively and pays attention to diversity of thinking and psychological safety
• Serves as an ally by acknowledging the power and privilege of their position to advocate on behalf of others who may have less power, and who may have been treated unfairly

Change agent for equity, diversity and inclusion

• Exhibits civicmindedness and develops community relations that attract and engage diverse people through networking
• Promotes an in-depth understanding of the intersectionality of the individual, their culture, their community, their history and how this impacts their behaviours
• Encourages behaviours that reflect a trauma informed lens
• Acts as a change agent for social reforms within the organization, sector, or community
• Articulates authentic commitment to diversity, challenges the status quo, holds others accountable, and makes diversity and inclusion a priority
• Sets the tone, ensuring everyone is heard, and the best ideas are given every opportunity to be heard and considered
• Acknowledges that there are historically under-served and under-represented populations and applies equity interventions to address inequities
• Influences decision makers in support of policies and practices that enhance diversity, equity and inclusion
• Advocates and promotes a strategic vision that reflects diversity, equity and inclusion
• Champions and assures cross-cultural understanding
• Applies an anti-oppressive analysis to strategic decision making and policy development