Write a brief note on the measures that can be taken to create a more tolerant environment.
Answers
Answer:
Most people aren't intentionally mean and hurtful. Many times, they are simply self-centered, unaware that they are acting on their fears and emotions. Often their intolerance stems from ignorance about people that are different or misunderstood. Years ago, I made a conscious choice to work on my intolerance. I decided that there is something to learn from almost everyone. I now choose to actively learn about the people around me, making it my responsibility to understand and relate. Strange and unusual people are now a magnet for me. In fact, it's generally the people who initially make me uncomfortable that teach me the most about myself.
I encourage you to take some time to engage and learn about those who make you uncomfortable. Share your own story with them as well. Who knows? Together we may all become a little more tolerant.
Here are some additional good ideas from my Inc. colleagues for making your environment a little more open and accepting.
1. Help People Learn About Each Other
People often make judgments from a lack of knowledge and experience. If an individual has never had a positive personal experience with someone of the Muslim faith, for instance, they may be more inclined to judge based on a global event like 9/11. Create opportunities for employees to learn more about one another. You might invite an employee to share something about themselves at the top of each weekly staff meeting. Organize small committees, schedule luncheons and after-hour events, and provide opportunities for people from different departments to pair up on projects.
2. Spread Tolerance From the Top
Leaders send messages by their deeds and their words. If the leader is known to make intolerant comments, even about something as simple as which school the company prefers to hire its candidates from or which generation of workers they think are the most effective, the impact can be far-reaching. If the leader appears to be intolerant in one of those areas, how else is their decision-making tainted? I often see this kind of bias get in the way of a leader's ability to take their company to the next level. For example, their perception about a generation's work ethic causes them to discount some of their employees' worth and potential, which can foster an undercurrent of resentment.
3. Remove Barriers
Not seeing other people as people is what enables all intolerance. Tribal sentiment is hard-wired into us from prehistoric days--our instincts are to defend our own clan and view others as the enemy. The only way to overcome this tendency is by getting to know people across those barriers of race, class, education and so on. That's why a simple move like temporarily switching desks can have such a profound effect. We may all be cave dwellers at heart, but once we've allowed a member of another tribe inside our cave, we will never quite view that person as "other" again.