Samantha Stimpson, founder and CEO of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion consultancy firm SLS 360, emphasizes the essence of understanding culture beyond visual diversity. Stimpson focuses on how a diverse culture feels, highlighting the celebration of unique and collective achievements that people from different identities bring.
She challenges the notion that visual differences alone define diversity, emphasizing the importance of recognizing diverse thoughts and neurodiversity. Stimpson distinguishes cultural competency from awareness, underlining its significance for international organizations.
Beyond acknowledging cultural differences, she stresses the need to view the world through the lens of others. Stimpson applauds organizations that leverage diverse networks to gain insights and recommends seeking advice from individuals rather than relying on generic online sources when navigating cultural nuances. The key message is that diversity is not always visible, urging organizations to prioritize understanding and fostering a channel for meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.
