The Cleveland Clinic's new diversity and inclusion program will begin its mission by addressing unconscious bias, according to a LinkedIn post written by President and CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD.
The initiative is part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, signed last month by Dr. Cosgrove and dozens of other CEOs across many industries, to address issues of diversity in the workplace. Dr. Cosgrove believes it is important to begin with the issue of unconscious bias because everyone has blind spots that must be addressed to fully embrace the ideals of diversity set forth by the new initiative.
Dr. Cosgrove wrote there are multiple reasons, both practical and otherwise, why businesses should promote diversity.
"By 2050 there will be no racial or ethnic majority in the U.S. as traditionally under-represented groups become the majority," Dr. Cosgrove wrote. "That's the practical explanation for businesses to get involved. As importantly, though, workplace diversity — of race, gender, nationality, religion, age or sexual orientation, among many other factors — creates a better, more equitable work environment with a greater depth of ideas, creativity and innovation."
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