Overcoming neutrality as an organizational learning impediment

Abstract

This article addresses the negative implications of neutrality in bureaucratic systems and public service. Neutrality employs a sameness approach that reinforces impartiality, invisibility, and indifference, resulting in what we term discriminatory blindness. After a brief illustrative review of neutrality in public service, we critique neutrality as an organizational impediment based on its veiled negative implications and disparate outcomes that fail to center the human experience and treat people based on how they are situated to ensure equity in outcomes. We propose a framework to forge ahead with eight actionable types of initiatives and learning constructs to raise the consciousness of public practitioners. We conclude with an action‐oriented and learning‐focused approach.

Executive Orders: Mandating Inclusion in the Federal Workplace: Insights from Federal Executive Departments’ Strategic Plans

“…Training and professional development should promote inter-cultural competence, empathy, and inclusive behaviors. This includes addressing unconscious bias, microaggressions, and creating inclusive communication practices (Carrizales, 2019;Sweeting & Haupt, 2023). Cunliffe (2016) argues that "education is not just about helping managers become more effective organizational citizens but also about helping them become critical thinkers and moral practitioners" (p. 478).…”

“…Attention to culture, climate, and norms are prerequisites for operationalizing inclusion among a heterogeneous workforce (Ashikali et al, 2021;Mor Barak 2014). Stimulating a culture of inclusion requires creating space that motivates and facilitates learned behavior and creating opportunities to listen, learn, question, reflect then act to improve diverse experiences (Shore et al, 2018;Sweeting & Haupt, 2023). Creating an inclusive culture requires moving beyond blanket policies, practices, and norms to infuse consciousness of differences recognizing that what may be inclusive for one group may not be for another.…”