Caterpillars and Butterflies - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dee Khan • 19 April 2022

Transformation inspiration

Sitting in my garden, basking in the Easter bank holiday weekend sunshine, I marvelled (as I often do) at God's beautiful nature and the lessons we can learn from it to apply to our everyday lives.


I looked at the patch of nettles I allow to grow, ever since noticing a couple of years ago, that was where some butterfly varieties laid their eggs.


Admittedly, the first time I left the nettles to grow, was due to "I'm too busy" mode. It was in a long queue of garden jobs I'd put to the bottom of my chores list.

Caterpillar on the edge of

By the time I decided to start cutting them back, I saw what I initially thought were strange-looking spiders crawling around on the leaves. On closer inspection, I realised:

  • each "spider leg" was actually a tiny caterpillar, part of a group of tiny caterpillars
  • each group was slowly dispersing and inching along the leaves 
  • they must've been "doing their thing" inside their cocoons; unobserved, taking care of and preparing themselves until they were ready to emerge and progress. 

Even once they were in full view, they took their time. They moved with unhurried purpose, aware of their ultimate goal of becoming butterflies. Even as they searched for suitable locations for their next phase, they'd continuously adapt re: the direction they'd take and journey they'd make to reach there.

 

I obviously couldn’t know if I saw any of those caterpillars in final butterfly form. What I did notice, however, were more butterflies fluttering in my garden and enriching my surroundings that year. 

Do The Work - Education

I started researching butterflies which led me to learn and understand:

  • that nettles are a vital food source in certain species' life cycle
  • the importance of butterflies’ pollinating skills as a beneficial contribution to the environment

 

It brought me much enjoyment and pride to know I'd been a part of the caterpillars' growth and transformation. I pledged that, every year, I'd: 

  • make space for them
  • ensure they have what they need to survive and thrive
  • provide a safe and nurturing environment for them to develop, grow and eventually gain their wings to fly and soar
  • celebrate their success as they mature in themselves and their lives
  • enjoy feeling part of something bigger than myself and my immediate surroundings

 

What would society and our communities look and feel like if we took a similar approach in our own lives and for the diverse groups of people throughout society? So that we all can survive, thrive and co-exist equitably in our employment, housing, healthcare, education, criminal justice and welfare systems - to name a few?

 

Just because someone looks or acts differently to what we're used to, or we initially think they don't "fit" into certain environments, establishments and spaces, we shouldn’t carelessly cut them off from accessing support that will enable them to thrive.

 

Rather than removing or implementing systems and policies without thorough consideration, what more can we do to educate ourselves on how those systems and policies could adversely impact and exclude others?



The work doesn't stop with a diversity and inclusion strategy

Question marks

Some people, employers and businesses shirk away from doing meaningful work around diversity, inclusion, equality and equity after developing diversity and inclusion strategies. 


“It’s too hard”; “It’s too complicated”; “Where do we start?”; “How do we know who needs help?”; “How do we know what needs to be done?”


Yes, it takes a conscious, deliberate and concerted effort but it’s not impossible. 


Business, corporate and social transformation involves:

• making space for people

• providing the right support 

• forming a psychologically safe environment for people to grow and reach their potential

• celebrating success as people develop themselves and their careers

• encouraging citizens to feel they belong and can contribute to overall business, societal and organisational goals 


A good starting point is taking a step back, being inquisitive and really noticing what’s happening around you. 

• Who and what else has access to the space you’re in? 

• How are they using that space? 

• What are you doing with/in that space? 

• How can you make room for others to share and thrive in that space?


Some businesses and organisations are now prioritising who they do business with, according to demonstrable evidence of progress in their diversity, equality, equity and inclusion efforts. 


Can you afford to lose out on business by doing the same as you’ve always done or by not doing anything at all?

By Dee Khan can help you explore how your business can increase social impact and gain social value whilst opening business opportunities.


Be a part of something bigger than you and your business.

Your actions make a difference within your business and the wider community.


Enabling and empowering people to thrive with meaningful support, consistency and determination, benefits all of us in our businesses, our local communities and wider society.


You don’t have to do it alone. 


Email: enquiries@bydeekhan.co.uk for a chat about how you’d like to position your business in our social world.

www.bydeekhan.co.uk

linkedin.com/company/by-dee-khan



Thanks for reading this blog. Please share with others who may find it useful.

Peace to all,

Dee

Butterfly on flowers

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Thanks for reading this blog. Please share with others who may find it useful.

Peace to all, Dee

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