To support diversity at work we must limit diversity.

“Cultural fit”: It is one of the hardest dilemmas in organisational  culture. You want people who fit in, and at the same time diversity. There may be definitions that accommodate both, but it is tricky.

In a culturally diverse organisation some people are not going to fit in. Racists, sexists, religious or political extremists. All sorts of views that do not embrace diversity will not work in a diverse work culture. They may have a place in social culture (though not at my place) but work is different. We have to all get along and collaborate.

Work is political now. You don’t have to hang up your identity at the door when you start work any more. People have a right to be their whole self. And some whole selves do not fit together.

So paradoxically a work culture that embraces diversity has to be less diverse.