Context: working towards inclusive collaboration
Rijkswaterstaat plays a central role in the Dutch public sector, with teams working on complex societal challenges. Within this context, diversity and inclusion are not abstract concepts, but part of everyday collaboration. At the department of Water, Traffic and Environment, inclusion is actively embedded in both leadership and daily practice. As part of this effort, a cultural awareness workshop was organized for a team of approximately 40 colleagues.
The challenge: understanding behavior beyond assumptions
In diverse teams, differences in behavior and communication are inevitable. Yet these differences are not always easy to interpret. What may seem unusual, inefficient, or unclear from one perspective often has a different meaning from another. The challenge for the team was not simply to acknowledge differences, but to better understand what drives them—and how to respond to them in a constructive way.
The approach: experiencing difference
Mazzi-Inc. designed an interactive cultural awareness workshop that focused on experience rather than theory. Participants were actively engaged in exercises that allowed them to experience what it feels like to adapt to unfamiliar norms. This created immediate insight into the effort, frustration, and energy required when you are expected to adjust to a dominant way of working. From there, the workshop introduced a central perspective: not to judge behavior, but to explore its positive intent. Participants developed a shared language to discuss differences, grounded in curiosity rather than assumption.
“I was able to apply it to a case involving two of my employees after just five minutes.”
The impact: immediate and practical
One of the most striking outcomes was how quickly the insights could be applied. Participants recognized that behavior is shaped by personal experiences, cultural context, and individual perspectives. This led to a shift in mindset—from evaluating behavior to exploring its meaning. A key takeaway remained: “Be curious about the positive value behind different behavior.” This principle became a guiding perspective within the team. It enabled employees to take ownership of inclusive behavior in their daily interactions, rather than relying solely on leadership or policy. Over time, this contributes to stronger collaboration, higher engagement, and more effective teams.
Looking ahead
The workshop reinforced an important insight: inclusive collaboration is not created through policy alone—it is shaped by everyday behavior. When individuals develop awareness and take responsibility, diversity becomes a strength rather than a challenge.
