Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus becomes particularly useful when trying to understand why some people are welcomed into organisations but not fully accepted, why certain leadership styles are rewarded over others, and why "cultural fit" so often outweighs diversity of thought. Habitus refers to the deeply ingrained ways of being, speaking, acting, relating, and perceiving that individuals carry with them, shaped by their histories, cultures, and social positions. It influences how we communicate, how we build relationships, what we consider to be "professional," how we approach authority, and even what we believe is appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

When individuals from marginalised or non-dominant backgrounds enter professional spaces, they do not simply bring new ideas; they bring different ways of doing. They may challenge assumptions, communicate differently, build trust in different ways, or solve problems from perspectives that fall outside the organisational norm. Unfortunately, it is often this "doing" that is resisted. Organisations frequently celebrate diversity in principle while expecting conformity in practice. I think difference is only truly welcomed when it does not require the dominant culture to adapt. What do you think?