Across The Pond Talk

Workplace Civility, DEI, and Career Progression: A New Touchpoint for Transformation

In today’s professional landscape, the conversation around workplace civility and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is more vital than ever. Both play crucial roles in shaping the environment in which professionals thrive, but they serve distinct yet complementary purposes.

Workplace civility is about creating respectful, considerate and professional interactions at every level. It’s the day-to-day kindness, politeness and thoughtfulness that builds a culture where individuals feel seen, valued and heard. However, while civility sets the foundation for positive relationships, it doesn't inherently address the deeper, systemic issues that can hold people back, especially within historically marginalised groups.

This is where DEI comes in.

DEI efforts focus on dismantling structural barriers, fostering diversity, ensuring equity and creating inclusive environments where all individuals can succeed and grow without bias or hindrance. It goes beyond just a friendly work environment, it challenges the systems that impact…

Assertive? You’re labelled aggressive. Reserved? You lack presence. Passionate? You’re too emotional. Leadership frameworks still reward one dominant style and it’s rarely one shaped by the lived experience of women of colour. The workplace may preach diversity, but too often it still promotes conformity.

Most mainstream leadership programmes are designed through a Eurocentric lens, prioritising traits like executive presence, charisma and linear communication. But these markers of “effectiveness” can clash with cultural ways of speaking, leading, or resolving conflict. As a result, women of colour are often forced to choose between authenticity and acceptance.

“It was just a joke.”

“Don’t be so sensitive.”

“You’re so articulate.”