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A lot of workplace conversations around inclusion tend to focus on a single dimension. Be it gender, sexuality, disability, race, ethnicity or caste. And while these conversations in isolation matter, they don’t always reflect how identity is actually lived.
Our identities do not exist in isolation. We do not live a life that pertains to singularity. And the inclusion efforts that address them often end up leaving people out in quiet unspoken ways.
This is where the concept of intersectionality comes in. Although seen as a corporate buzzword, intersectionality is beyond that. It’s a way of understanding and addressing marginalities. It helps us understand how one’s identity often overlaps and creates unique forms of marginalization.

Gender-neutral language promotes inclusivity, creating room for those the values behind it to show up in action, whether it’s how job descriptions are written, how feedback is delivered, or how a team addresses one another on Monday morning.
Inclusive language is any communication that affirms diverse identities, respects lived experiences, and avoids language that reinforces bias. It centers people first, ensuring individuals are referred to in ways they define themselves. This involves being intentional about phrasing, aware of nuance, and open to evolving standards.

Intergenerational colleagues also operate on preconceived notions, assumptions of abilities, and stereotypes. Older employees are often disdainful of the way younger employees work. And younger ones find experienced professionals to be inflexible and not open to new ideas. These differences can reach a head when interactions become increasingly strained leading to a disgruntled workforce.

The benefits of proximity are underestimated and, often, unseen. Proximity drives action, does away with a cookie cutter approach towards employee issues, and builds equity through small but significant changes. “When you are proximate, details emerge, insights emerge, understandings emerge, that you will not achieve from a distance,” observes Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.

How can organizations cultivate cultural intelligence? It starts with a commitment to learning and growth. This might involve cross-cultural training, mentorship programs, or opportunities for employees to work on global projects. Beyond formal programs, though, it involves creating a culture where curiosity and empathy are valued. A culture which encourages employees to ask questions, share their experiences, and learn from one another.

Successful male allies create safe spaces for honest conversations. They deftly avoid the White Knight Syndrome or the urge to ‘fix things’ and simply offer their presence to listen, support, and amplify. And the influence of male allyship extends far beyond individual organizations. When men actively challenge workplace inequities, they contribute to a broader societal shift. They end up reshaping cultural narratives and challenging long-standing assumptions. Allyship goes beyond being a moral imperative.

Intersectionality, a concept originally introduced by UCLA professor of law Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, is the framework that examines how various aspects of a person’s identity such as race, gender, class, ability, or sexuality intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination or privilege. Crenshaw used the term to highlight how Black women often face compounded discrimination, shaped by both racism and sexism, in ways that are distinct from what Black men or white women experience.
In workplaces, this translates to understanding that employees are not defined by a single identity. A queer woman of color, for instance, may encounter both homophobia and racial bias, creating challenges that neither LGBTQ+ initiatives nor racial equity programs, in isolation, can fully address.International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is just a few weeks away and this year’s theme is “Accelerate Action.” The United Nation’s theme, too, calls for action that ensures “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.