Colbe Diversity Collective: stronger together through diversity
How do we make sure everyone at Colbe can truly thrive? That question was the starting point for the Diversity Collective, a new initiative within Colbe that brings together colleagues from different regions and diverse backgrounds for an open conversation about diversity and inclusion.
The Diversity Collective grew out of a desire to give diversity more attention within Colbe and to strengthen it. If we want to increase the strength of our collective, we need to recognise the differences between people. Everyone has their own background, story and talents. By getting to know each other better, we look beyond labels and create space for everyone’s strengths. “At Colbe, we talk a lot about strengthening the collective. But that’s only possible if we take time to appreciate each other’s strengths and backgrounds, and make the effort to understand one another,” says Tim Hendriksen, CISO at Colbe and co-founder of the Diversity Collective. “That’s how we build connection and become stronger together.”
From conversation to concrete action
During the first Diversity Lunch, colleagues in Arnhem, Amsterdam and Rotterdam engaged in conversation using statements and discussion cards. Topics included neurodiversity, physical disability, gender, cultural backgrounds and equal opportunities. The conversations produced not only new insights, but also ideas for further strengthening diversity and inclusion within Colbe.
Learning from each other
“The subject can be sensitive, but I was pleased to see how openly everyone joined the conversation,” says Mona van der Vloed, healthcare psychologist at Skils and co-founder. “We discovered how much we can learn from each other’s knowledge and experiences. We discussed the importance of equal opportunities to join the organisation and develop further within it, and of equal opportunities to participate, progress, have a say and exert influence. We also explored how we can make room for everyone’s qualities, abilities and needs, for example by tailoring work and roles more closely to the individual through job crafting.”
Collective betterment
The Diversity Collective’s next step is to translate the insights from these conversations into concrete actions with broad support across Colbe. In this way, collective betterment, which Colbe champions, also takes shape in practice: by understanding each other, recognising everyone’s strengths and working together to build a strong network in which everyone can flourish.
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