As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as complex creatures with intricate life experiences, circumstances, and personalities. Conversely, we often regard others as one dimensional, not seeing the multidimensionality of their life.

We primarily rely on others’ most visible characteristics as the explanation for everything they say, believe, and do.

However, the more we recognize the complexity of our individual human experience and identity, the more we will be able to understand those individuals we perceive as different. This process involves a great investment into our emotional intelligence.

Clinical psychologist, Pamela Hays, offers a comprehensive framework that enables us to better recognize and understand the multidimensional aspects that make each person unique. This framework was named ADDRESSING and consists of the following components: Age, Developmental and acquired Disabilities, Religion, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic status, Sexual orientation, Indigenous heritage, National origin, and Gender.

Originally developed to help therapists become more culturally sensitive and aware, this same framework can be applied to leaders within organizations as part of the DEIB agenda.

The ADDRESSING Framework puts forth the following key questions to ask when first interacting with a colleague.

Age:

• What are the age-related issues and generational influences on this person?
• How might age be impacting their life and work?

Disability:

• What are this person’s experiences with development disabilities or disabilities acquired later in life?
• Might this person have a disability that is not fully present?
• Might this person be the caretaker of an individual with a disability?

Religion:

• What are this person’s religious upbringings and what are their current beliefs and practices, if any?

Ethnicity and Race:

• What is this person’s ethnic or racial identity?
• Does their race play a role in the area in which they were raised or currently live? For example, if the person is Indian, might they be mistaken by non-Indians to be Pakistani or Arab?

Socioeconomic Status:

• What is this person’s current socioeconomic status as defined by occupation, income level, education, marital status, gender, ethnicity, community, and family name.

Sexual Orientation:

• What is this person’s sexual orientation, not assuming heterosexuality because they wear a wedding ring or have been married, for example.

Identity:

• Might indigenous heritage be a part of their ethnic identity?

Nationality:

• What is this person’s national identity and primary language?

Gender:

• Finally, what gender related information (i.e. regarding roles, expectations, and relationships) is significant given the person’s cultural heritage and identity as a whole?