Foreseen and informed changes allow a window to reflect on the possible plus and minuses of the change, and to plan a strategy to make diversity and inclusion workable onboard.

While diversity is the mix, inclusion is making the mix work together. Let’s reflect - you are being informed about the joining of a female officer or crew of other nationality on-board. This does require some adjustments in the existing onboard arrangements, whether it is the safety and comfort of the female officer or necessary provisions like food habits and work ethics of other national crew. Reworking on few aspects or squeezing in one more task that requires effort may feel overwhelming in the moment as it requires thinking in a different direction than the usual. But this may also stop us from being realistic, thus affecting the decision-making process.

As an individual you may be welcoming of the cultural change in the organization, but the thought of unpreparedness or inadequacy may lead to conflict in the mind leading to vagueness, hesitations, or prejudices towards the change or person.


To practice fairness and be more inclusive of such decisions and actions, one can make conscious attempts to.

  • Educate
    Being aware of the workplace changing culture and policies. Connect with the shore team who can guide you more on the same Understanding your personal biases and preferences. Ask yourself, if you were the sole decision maker, why would you welcome/unwelcome such decision, what re-arrangement would you make to accommodate the person and give them a fair experience? How would you utilize their strengths for better management and outcomes, how would you make other people accept them without any prejudices? Asking as many questions as possible will surely help to broaden your horizon on the matter and take it as a new project.
  • Take responsibility as a leader/ as an individual
    Perform or perish is an unwritten rule anywhere, and to keep progressing and evolving we need to adapt and adjust eventually to the change today or tomorrow - so why not today? Rather than expressing resistance and reluctance, why not ponder on how to make it work well? Take necessary support from people and leadership around to work on limitations, doubts and inadequacy.
  • Celebrate Difference
    We all have something to cherish and be proud of, whether it is food, culture, festival, or gender choices/preferences etc… why not occasionally choose one person or people from a different group than yours to showcase their unique strengths/culture. India itself is a diverse country, and we work with people from various states and communities, so let’s make an earnest effort to occasionally learn from them.
  • Adjusting Mental Blocks
    It is common and natural for humans to have preconceived notions and biases, but not impossible to break free from them and have an open mind.

    How one perceives it, matters. In one of the well-being session a senior officer, age around 60 plus, shared a situation where one of the junior officer was open to challenge and ask as many questions - initially it appeared as rude to him but later when he made a shift in his outlook, he realized the JO was just being assertive and learning as much as he can. By the end of the contract, the senior officer was convinced that he was one of the best cadet he had trained.

    Having prior information is good, it helps to strategize and plan, but if it blocks you from thinking through, it is limiting your ability to positively expand your comfort zones.
  • Connect Informally
    As a human being irrespective of our race, language community, gender, nationality etc., our biological make-up may vary but mental and emotional make-up is quiet the same.

We all feel valued when respected, loved, and cared for. As you will be learning about other gender and nationality, similarly they will be learning too and so a better way is to also connect informally. Share break time with them, let them share more about their culture, ambitions, and values, and treat them equal. This helps to deepen understanding about each other thereby bringing a shift in one’s outlook.