No more excuses: Building a diverse and inclusive future

To mark World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we caught up with Michael Wiedemann, President, Global Energy Sector at DHL. 

Do you think recent events mark a turning point when we talk about diversity?

“Yes. Bringing diversity into the workplace is a cause that has been gathering steam for decades. But just as the global pandemic has led to countries closing their borders, it has also introduced a sense of worldwide unity. We’ve never been so connected, and it’s highlighting that a lot of us overestimate how different we are.

I believe that there’s never been a better time to embrace diversity. We can learn from experts working together across the world to tackle COVID-19. I will make it a personal goal to bring that same spirit of collaboration into our organization.”

What lessons do you plan to put into practice when it comes to diversity and inclusion?

“There’s always something to learn from other people. The more different their background to ours, the more likely that they’ll offer a perspective that’s new to us.

At DHL, we’ve built a workforce made up of people from many walks of life. But we can always do better, and we mustn’t take our eyes of the ball when it comes to diversity and inclusion. As a leader, I’m committed to making it a constant effort, not because we have to do the right thing but because it’s the right thing to do. Diversity also includes the experiences and ideas that each team member brings to the table, which will only make our team stronger and more effective.”

What are your hopes for the future?

“As we recover from a global crisis, I believe that we can hold onto the unity that’s come out of this shared experience. Whether it’s the neighbors that live next door or the new colleague, we can remember what binds us rather than what sets us apart.

In this way, we can move forward rather than backward, to a brighter future.”

To learn more about how DHL is working to promote diversity and inclusivity, visit  dpdhl.com/en/sustainability/employees-and-workplace/diversity-and-inclusion.html

Published: December 2020

Images: iStock; VMG Photography