Equity and Inclusion: Recognizing the Difference Between Equal and Fair

Equal opportunities and fair opportunities are not the same. Equity acknowledges that different people face different barriers and need different kinds of support to reach the same outcomes. As new policies emerge — such as the removal of the Diversity, Equity, and Opportunity (DEO) office in the U.S. — organizations are grappling with critical questions. CEOs and founders are taking public stances, yet confusion persists about how to foster true inclusivity and access for all.

The reality is this: we cannot solve systemic inequities unless we first acknowledge they exist. Ignoring them only perpetuates harm. Progress begins with recognition, accountability, and intentional action.

Workplace inequities are not just about individual bias; they are often reinforced by long-standing systems and structures that create advantages for some while leaving others behind. Many of these barriers are invisible to those who do not experience them firsthand. Without awareness and education, these inequities continue unchecked.

For millennia, human nature has conditioned us to accept the world as we perceive it — even when reality tells a different story. But in today’s workplace, where personal and professional lives are more intertwined than ever, dismissing these issues is no longer…