How Can Vulnerability Transform Our Approach to Ethical Leadership?
The Phrase that "Discrimination is in our blood" readily implies that it is something hard-wired in human nature. Although this is true to a great extent—that humans have the tendency to organize, segregate information, and thus, differentiate on the basis of various attributes like race, gender, agRead more
The Phrase that “Discrimination is in our blood” readily implies that it is something hard-wired in human nature. Although this is true to a great extent—that humans have the tendency to organize, segregate information, and thus, differentiate on the basis of various attributes like race, gender, age, and so on—it is also important to know how to differentiate natural propensity from socially constructed behaviors.
Psychologically and sociologically:
1. Evolutionary Psychology: Some argue that humans were evolutionarily programmed to quickly put people into categories as a human survival mechanism. This provided the early humans with the ability to rapidly see who was friend and who was foe. It may have created an evolutionary predisposition toward those who are like us and distrust of those who are different.
2. Socialization: Much of what we view as discriminatory behavior we learn through socialization. Family, media, peers, and institutions were those who taught us the norms, values, and biases. These learned behaviors can turn out to reinstate and perpetuate discrimination.
3. Cultural Context: Discrimination varies a lot from one culture to another and throughout history. What in one context is perceived to be discriminative might not be so in another, hence it suggests that much of this behavior is culturally determined as opposed to being biologically disposed.
4. Malleability: Human behavior is very easily modifiable. Whereas we might have some hard-wired tendencies, we are also capable of empathy, insight, and change. Education, awareness, and policy have an enormous potential for reducing discriminatory behaviors.
5. Moral and Ethical Responsibility: Notwithstanding any natural tendency, we have the moral and ethical responsibility to struggle for equality and justice. Inequities and biased behaviors are recognized and challenged as a part of building a society that is fairer and more inclusive.
Also, despite knowing that discrimination hurts and damages, it does not cease to exist due to several psychological, social, and structural reasons. Reasons as to why this contradiction subsists along with examples are:
1. Implicit Bias: Most people have unconscious biases that drive human behavior, unbeknownst to them. They can be socially induced norms, media portrayals, or personal experiences.
Example: An employer may reach subconsciously for resumes with names that sound like they belong to a particular race, even though they are consciously pro-diversity.
2. Socialization: People learn behavior and attitudes from their family, friends, and society. From a very tender age, one may be socialized to hold discriminatory beliefs.
Example: Children can pick up racist or sexist attitudes from their parents or peers and transport these attitudes into adulthood.
3. Fear and Ignorance: Another factor that creates discrimination is dislike–fear of the unknown or unfamiliar. Often it is merely lack of information about other cultures, different lifestyles, or various abilities that creates prejudice themselves.
Example: In most cases, xenophobia has no basis other than lack of information about other cultures and fear of economic or social changes.
4. Power and Privilege: Those in power may discriminate in an effort to establish and secure themselves in their position over others. Discrimination may further serve to solidify created hierarchies.
Example: Institutional racism in law enforcement allows for the continued targeting and mass incarceration of minorities in those communities.
5. Economic and Social Competition: People may discriminate against others whom they feel are a threat to them in terms of their livelihood, or even adequate employability or social status.
Example: Anti-immigrant sentiment is highest during periods of economic contraction, as native-born citizens might view immigrants as job competitors at times when jobs are scarce.
6. Historical Legacies: Society’s structures and attitudes often flow from historical events and practices, such as colonialism, slavery, and segregation, that leave behind residuals.
Example: The legacy of apartheid lives on in race relations and disparate economic outcomes for South Africans.
7. Media Representation: Media can reinforce stereotypes and biases in views, attitudes, and perceptions across a variety of diverse groups in society.
Example: Representations of Muslims as terrorists in movies and news reports can further Islamophobia.
8. Social Conformity: People may potentially engage in acts of discrimination just to belong or to fit in with their social group or community.
Example: A teenager might bully a classmate with a disability to fit in with their friends.
Somehow, while the roots of in-group favoritism may be partially related to evolutionary factors, discrimination in the form it occurs today is essentially of social and cultural origin. This means that it is also within our powers to change with education, policy, and personal responsibility.
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Vulnerability means being open and honest with sharing your true feelings and imperfections & taking risks, even if it means getting hurt or rejected. It's about being brave, authentic and willing to connect deeply with others. Vulnerability can profoundly transform our approach to ethical leadeRead more
Vulnerability means being open and honest with sharing your true feelings and imperfections & taking risks, even if it means getting hurt or rejected. It’s about being brave, authentic and willing to connect deeply with others.
Vulnerability can profoundly transform our approach to ethical leadership by –
Vulnerability can be tough but it helps leaders to grow and build trust. By being open and honest, they overcome fears, build strength and create a positive work culture. This inspires others and leads to innovation and success.
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