A Tiger is just a Tiger.

I have recently been delivering Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination awareness training in a diverse workforce. One of the issues that emerged was the need to judge people on their performance and ability rather than make assumptions about who they are, where they were born, how they look, medical conditions they may have, the language they speak, their gender, age or beliefs or any other label assigned to them.

It lead me to thinking more deeply about this topic. Quite a simple premise, judge on what people can actually do or deliver, but why doesn’t this happen?

The old adage “if it aint broke don’t fix it” is one I often hear and I counter with. Change is difficult but also vital. I used to love playing on my Acorn Electron, Chuckie Egg being my favourite game. Indeed at the time it wasn’t broken so why fix it? But equally I don’t miss the tape loading for half an hour and I think smart phones and tablets are a rather useful invention! But it brings me to a thought. If we can progress from Chuckie Egg and listening to New Kids on the Block on my cassette player, to IPods and turning the heating on through a phone, why can’t we develop our thinking to leave behind stereo types, judgement and labels?

During the training session we discussed behaviours that were at risk of being discrimination harassment or bullying and several points were raised one of which being that women had it said to them that they should load the dishwasher and men were told to man up and they shouldn’t feel and that they should deal with the potentially aggressive or heavy lifting situations. I ask this, why do we still have these gender labels in 2016? Why can’t a man load the dishwasher and cry? Why can’t a women handle aggression or heavy lifting? Yes I recognise there are differences between everyone but assumptions are incorrect and judgement should be made on ability.

My two daughters are equally enamoured by Star Wars and Princesses. Christmas Day this year for both involved StarWars onsies and light Sabers. Yet they love to wear dresses. My daughter would like her room painted blue and pink so she can have a star wars duvet cover and a princess one. So simple in a 6 year old mind. She likes everything and she can be who she wants. She climbs trees and rolls in the mud with passion, but likes dolls and pink things. Long may it remain the freedom to not wear any label.

By coincidence the amazing Eddie Izzard touched on this very topic during his recent documentary running 27 marathons in 27 days. I have known of this intelligent and admirable man since watching his stand up in the early days and am in awe of his recent fete. During a break he was getting his long red nails prepared and advised the audience that he considered himself to be transgender but questioned why did it matter who people loved or their choices when quite simply it should be about what they have achieved, what they contribute to the world or create. A fantastic statement from an intelligent man and for me firm reinforcement of my question. He stated quite simply a tiger is a tiger, most people just see a tiger, not a male tiger or a female tiger, just a tiger. Why are humans so different?

I have been enjoying the OJ Simpson drama based on the mid 90s court case. During the trial Marcia the only female attorney was put through unbelievable public scrutiny from her hair to her marriage. The scene in which a cashier picks up feminine products and states that the Defence would have a bad day may have been dramatic licence, but summarised the entire point beautifully. An intelligent talented female surrounded by males was hounded about how she looked in court. The fact that I still hear comments of this nature in 2016 reinforces my question, why can’t we judge on ability only?

The recent Oscars and race campaigning highlights too this same thinking. Why is it not just about who gave the best performance?

I find myself asking as a Business owner and HR professional how I can make a difference. Do we need to recruit or promote in the style of the BBC show The Voice. Using large red chairs where only the CV is in view, or an automated voice outlining experience and skills and we only turn based on ability! A little extreme maybe but food for thought.

All I can do is continue awareness, continue to question others on judging ability without labels but maybe we should all take a minute to think one simple thought. A Tiger is just a Tiger.