Reconstructing Inclusion S2E7: Drawing Lines, Creating Distance: Fred Falker on What's Really Dividing Us
In this episode, Fred Falker challenges everything we think we know about DEI. Using the famous nine-dot puzzle as a metaphor, Fred explains why our current approach to inclusion might be holding us back – and offers a revolutionary new way forward.
Key Discussion Points:
- The nine-dot puzzle and invisible limitations
- Difference vs. Distance paradigm
- Why nature doesn't draw lines?
- The problem with current DEI approaches
- Moving beyond categories to connection
- Measuring real impact in DEI work
🔥 Standout Quote:
"The drawing of the line is what divides. And when we divide, it brings in appraisal and judgment. It brings in the idea that something could be less than or more than. All of our bias is created by drawing lines." - Fred
About Our Guest:
Fred Falker is the President of Falker Consulting Group, Inc., an organizational development consulting and training firm. Over the past twenty-five years, he has developed and introduced a fundamentally new and better approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This approach goes beyond today's anti-racism and unconscious/implicit bias training.
Resources Mentioned:
- From Difference to Distance: Rethinking Diversity and Inclusion | Fred Falker | TEDxClayton
- Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man"
- Dr. Robert L. Williams - Founder of Black Psychology
Time Stamps:
[00:01:00] - Introduction to Fred Falker and his unique perspective on DEI
[00:07:00] - Why Fred initially refused to do diversity training [00:15:00] - The fundamental flaw in how we think about differences
[00:19:00] - "Nature does not draw lines" – Understanding constructed divisions
[00:34:00] - Why understanding groups doesn't mean understanding individuals
[00:37:00] - The distance paradigm: What really separates us? [00:49:00] - Why we need to focus on outcomes, not activities?[00:54:00] - The importance of abandoning old paradigms completely
➡️ Subscribe to Reconstructing Inclusion for more unfiltered conversations about the future of DEI.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reconstructinginclusion.substack.com/subscribe