Colourful is our favourite colour
Kirstin Hahne – Manager Diversity, Equity und Belonging
When a new position is created in a company, it is a special event. Especially when this position has the job title « Diversity Manager » and hardly anyone knows what is behind it. That was a few years ago now – and a lot has happened at our company since then. We have embarked on a journey together – and I’m taking you on it today.
Diversity: unlike fashion, it’s not a matter of taste
I’m Kirstin and I’ve been Manager Diversity, Equity and Belonging at bonprix since June 2020. What exactly is behind this? We’ll find out in a moment.
For me, it quickly became clear after my start – in a role that was also new to me – that we can only anchor the idea and importance of diversity and the basic attitude behind it in our culture in the long term if not only individual colleagues are committed, but if everyone makes their contribution in their daily work. The repetition of a code of conduct by individuals like a prayer wheel is of little help here. Instead, it is about creating a shared conviction and attitude. Openness and curiosity. Dialogue at eye level instead of a raised index finger. It’s about imparting knowledge, educating and sensitising. This interpersonal component fascinates me just as much about my job as the fact that I don’t have a standardised approach that I can or have to follow. And what makes me very happy is that my colleagues at bonprix are also inspired and willing to embrace the unknown and unfamiliar. They are curious and sometimes courageous in their approach to new ideas and questions. Each at their own pace.
I try to explain what contribution I can make by returning to my job title: Manager Diversity, Equity and Belonging. I would like to describe what exactly is behind these three terms.
Diversity means first and foremost that we are colourful and different – and that we want to be: We employ people with different personalities, backgrounds and stories. I try to recognise both the opportunities and challenges of diversity and share them with my colleagues.
The aim of equity is to create genuine equal opportunities for all colleagues. After all, diversity results in differences. Some colleagues may need more or different support than others – at least temporarily. Together with my colleagues, I try to recognise needs and derive suitable measures.
Belonging aims to ensure that all colleagues feel part of our strong « we » culture and feel that they belong with all facets of their individual personality. This enables them to make the greatest possible contribution to the company’s success. Because only by working together can diversity realise its full potential. Creating the conditions for this is part of my role.
If you want to be colourful, you can’t just think in black and white
It is important to include different perspectives in order to achieve genuine cooperation. We also do this in our diversity initiatives, in which colleagues get involved in topics from the various diversity dimensions during their working hours. Or in regular formats in which we engage in open exchange and dialogue. We regularly leave our comfort zone and also address critical and unpleasant questions. We continue to develop and actively tackle challenges such as accessibility (structural and digital) that is not yet available everywhere, the identification of alternative career paths and management models, a language that includes everyone and greater visibility for the diversity of our colleagues. Or we support initiatives such as WELCOMING OUT and send a clear signal – both internally and externally. Future-orientated. Transparent. Courageous.
An open and accepting environment that recognises diversity as an opportunity and in which everyone feels a sense of belonging is the best prerequisite for joint success. To achieve this, we utilise our strengths and deal openly with our weaknesses. Find out more at « Diversity is part of our company culture. »
My greatest motivation? To see what is possible when there is openness to change. And that these become visible and, above all, tangible in everyday life and interactions.
Kirstin – Manager Diversity, Equity & Belonging