Bend it like Bentham ⚽️

Sometimes the two areas I work in can seem at odds to each other - it can be hard to see how DEI and working with staff representatives are related. But they are! And by the idea of an 18th century British philosopher, no less.

Jeremy Bentham - who was way ahead of his time in many ways (he was for women's suffrage, against slavery, and an early proponent of animal rights) - came up with the idea of deep play, which he defined as a game so risky and with such high stakes, that no rational person would play it. War comes to mind as an example, or hedge funds, for that matter!

And I think it's this idea of deep play which connects DEI and employee forums, because both are areas where people have to speak up, and that speaking up can be (or at least feel) risky.

Ensuring that people feel that they can speak up is a two-parter. First of all, as an organisation you have to create an environment where psychological safety can flourish. Creating staff forums and employee resource groups are one step in the right direction, as they mean that people don't have to act alone.

And secondly, you have to give people concrete means and tools with which to speak up. For example, clear policies and procedures around how to do so; as well as the knowledge, skills and behaviours that constitute best practice and how to implement them. Training is really useful for the bit around knowledge, skills and behaviours!

Do you have any examples of deep play in the workplace? As always, I'm interested in your ideas.