5 Small Actions to Promote Equity and Inclusion in Daily Life
Promoting equity and inclusion in daily life can be achieved through small yet impactful actions. This article explores practical steps individuals can take to foster a more inclusive society. Drawing from expert insights, these strategies offer accessible ways to make a difference in various aspects of life.
- Diversify Media Consumption for Inclusive Perspectives
- Use Gender-Neutral Language in Daily Communication
- Expand Your Circle of Influence
- Mentor Diverse Talent in Landscaping Industry
- Prioritize Diverse Voices in Decision-Making
Diversify Media Consumption for Inclusive Perspectives
In addition to staying up to date with news and best practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I've made a concerted effort to ensure that the media I consume daily is diverse and inclusive. By diversifying my news sources, music, TV shows, movies, and books, I get to experience different stories, especially from experiences outside of my own. Through this, I've found new favorites that I keep going back to and learned about other genres, histories, and cultures. There are challenges for equity-deserving communities in every industry, and by intentionally seeking out ways to support underrepresented writers, performers, and artists, I can help move the needle to ensure great talent gets recognized and rewarded.
Use Gender-Neutral Language in Daily Communication
I recently began using inclusive language in my everyday conversations and written communications. This might seem minor, but replacing terms like "guys" with gender-neutral alternatives such as "everyone" or "folks" makes a big difference. It's a small shift that helps people feel seen and respected, regardless of their gender identity.
This conscious choice has encouraged others around me to think about the implications of their words too. In my workplace, it has sparked discussions on language and inclusivity, gradually shaping a more welcoming environment. These conversations often lead to broader awareness and understanding, promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity. By making this small change, I've noticed increased comfort and engagement from colleagues who previously felt overlooked or marginalized. It's a reminder that even our smallest actions can contribute to big shifts in making everyone feel valued and included.
Expand Your Circle of Influence
One small but impactful change I made was intentionally diversifying who I follow, read, and listen to—especially voices outside my immediate circle or lived experience. It started with social media, podcasts, and newsletters, then expanded into the people I invite into conversations and projects.
This shift helped me catch unconscious biases in real time. For example, during a hiring process, I realized our job post language unintentionally excluded certain applicants. Because I'd been exposed to different perspectives regularly, I spotted it early and reworked the listing to be more inclusive. That small tweak led to more diverse applicants—and ultimately a better hire.
It's not about making one big gesture. Inclusion lives in the small, everyday choices we make about who we learn from and how we show up. When you consistently expose yourself to different perspectives, it changes how you lead, communicate, and make decisions—for the better.
Mentor Diverse Talent in Landscaping Industry
One small but impactful change I've made in my daily life to promote equity and inclusion is being intentional about who I hire and collaborate with on projects. In an industry like gardening and landscaping, it's easy for certain voices or backgrounds to be overlooked, especially when hiring often happens through word of mouth. With over 15 years of experience and a strong network, I've made it a priority to bring in people from diverse backgrounds, including younger workers, women in horticulture, and individuals from migrant communities who have a real passion and talent for gardening but may not have had the same opportunities to showcase it. My qualifications as a certified horticulturist and my position as a business owner give me the platform to help level the playing field, and I take that responsibility seriously.
One example that really stands out is a young apprentice I brought on who had a strong interest in sustainable gardening but very little formal experience. By mentoring him and involving him in a range of jobs across lawn care, native garden design, and edible gardens, he not only grew in confidence but is now leading his own small team within my business. That kind of growth doesn't just happen by accident. It's the result of combining my hands-on experience with a commitment to ensuring everyone gets a fair opportunity, and it's helped build a stronger, more inclusive workplace culture at Ozzie Mowing and Gardening.
Prioritize Diverse Voices in Decision-Making
As the Founder and CEO of Zapiy.com, promoting equity and inclusion is something I take seriously, both in our company and in my personal life. One small but impactful change I've made is prioritizing diverse perspectives in my daily decision-making, particularly when it comes to hiring and team collaboration.
I realized early on that it's easy to unintentionally surround yourself with people who think, look, and act similarly to you, especially in the tech industry where many of us have similar backgrounds. So, I made it a personal practice to actively seek out diverse voices and opinions when making decisions or addressing challenges. This includes creating opportunities for team members from different backgrounds to contribute in meetings, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
In practical terms, this change has meant making a more conscious effort to include team members from various departments or roles, encouraging them to share their thoughts, and truly listening to their input. I also started scheduling regular feedback sessions with people from underrepresented groups within the company to ensure their needs are being met and to identify areas where we can improve our approach to inclusivity.
This shift in approach has made a noticeable difference in how we collaborate and innovate at Zapiy. We've seen that when people from different backgrounds are encouraged to speak up and share their experiences, it leads to more creative solutions and a greater sense of belonging within the team. It's also made our company culture stronger, as everyone feels valued and included in the decision-making process.
On a larger scale, this change has influenced how we approach diversity in hiring and team building. By actively seeking diverse perspectives, we not only foster a more inclusive environment but also ensure that we're building a team that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of a broad range of customers.
In the end, this small shift in mindset has been a powerful reminder that equity and inclusion are not just about big policies or gestures, but about the everyday decisions and actions we take to make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
