Diversity has always been, and must always be, all of the things about you and me that make us similar or different. However, it is reasonable and fair to say that all aspects of diversity do not have the same impact on our lives (to read more on diversity and the difference between and importance of diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging, read our latest blog post).

At JP Enterprises, we use the DIBs Big 9, or diversity, inclusion and bias big 9, to set a framework for making meaning out of this idea. The DIBs Big 9 are the major categories of diversity that impact our lives:

1. Age
2. Race
3. Politics
4. Geography
5. Gender
6. Socio-Economics
7. Differing Abilities
8. Sexuality
9. Religion

For example, while height is a viable part of someone’s diversity, it may not be as impactful someone’s age, a person’s social economics or any of the other diversity, inclusion and bias big 9 (DIBS big 9). 

Similarly, JP Enterprises’ CEO and founder, James H. Pogue is a combat military veteran and as critical as that time was, and how impactful those memories and moments were in his life, they do not have as much impact as his religion or gender. 

In your organization, the priority of the DIBs Big 9 may change. They may even flex based upon whether you are developing policy for your frontline team members, middle managers, senior leaders or executives.  

In the end, the DIBs Big 9 framework is a critical tool for recognizing that while diversity is all things about us that make us similar or different, some aspects have more impact than others on our everyday lives.