This blog was written by Kay Vessey MSc., Master PRINT® Coach.

I was posed a really interesting question recently from a PRINT® client about whether PRINT® supports diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) within an organisation, and is in line with DE&I best practice.

My instant reaction was –’Yes, absolutely!’ PRINT® is diverse and inclusive, I know this from experience of facilitating hundreds of sessions over many years. But it also made me stop and think about how PRINT® doesn’t just support DE&I in an organisation but how it enhances and celebrates it.

PRINT® does not ask gender, age, ethnicity, location or any other characteristics. And third-party research, carried out by Mark R. Testa, Ph.D of San Diego State University, showed that PRINT® profiles are found evenly across each age, gender and ethnicity. This study looked at US policies, but it also stacks up against the UK Equality Act 2010.

But as we know, so much of what makes each of us unique sits beneath the skin. PRINT® helps make diversity of thought visible. In broadening our knowledge of different drivers PRINT® encourages us to shift our perspective and perception of others, and in doing so we can be more understanding of each other and ultimately build more inclusive workplaces.

Within PRINT® there are no good or bad, right or wrong profiles. Each motivator has a unique contribution and way of adding value. PRINT® celebrates the diverse ways and differences of what motivates us and uncovers WHY we do what we do. PRINT® helps us to explore what it means to be human – something we all share.

So as coaches, trainers, facilitators and people developers, how can we use PRINT® to build inclusive workplaces – and how will we know what such a workplace looks, sounds and feels like?

Workplace inclusion relates to feelings of belonging, having a voice and being valued for your unique and authentic individual skills and abilities. While PRINT® tells us nothing about an individual’s competence, skills or knowledge a PRINT® Discovery session creates an environment of equality, exploration and curiosity. In sharing the things that motivate and drive us, this insight gives others the opportunity to understand us much better, realise our intentions and view the world through a different lens. Understanding each other’s motivators promotes working together effectively and creates a healthy environment for people to thrive in.

PRINT® is accessible, simple to use and instantly applicable. Whether you are about to embark upon your career, a senior leader within a large organisation and everything in between, PRINT® enables us to learn about ourselves and about others by valuing differences and setting the scene for creating sustainable change.

Fostering these practices has been associated with enhanced team knowledge sharing, innovation and creativity.

With the individuals, teams and organisations I’ve had the opportunity to take on a PRINT® expedition, there have been some common themes that contribute to achieving the feeling of inclusion:

  • Valued for uniqueness and difference.
  • Being your authentic self with no pretence.
  • Contributing to the team and being part of the group.

Feedback from one of our recent leadership development programmes cemented this, here’s what some of the delegates shared about the impact of looking through the PRINT® lens.

“I recognise and celebrate that my differences are my strengths.” 

“I’ve become more aware of and respond to other peoples’ perspectives and viewpoints.” 

“There’s power in appreciating everyone is different, understands differently and works differently.”   

Of course, there are many other ways organisations and individuals can demonstrate and accelerate DE&I within the workplace. It’s a complex topic we all need to continually shine a spotlight on. PRINT® is certainly a positive contributor to fostering an inclusive environment and supporting your people to flourish.

If you want to find out more – email us at hello@discoveryourprint.co.uk.