Why it matters

Within seconds, we form an opinion about a new colleague. This happens automatically and without conscious intent — not because we are biased people, but because we have biased brains.

The human brain is designed to make fast judgments, not fair or inclusive ones. These automatic patterns — biases and stereotypes — reduce mental effort, but also shape behaviour. We seek confirmation, avoid difference and trust those who feel familiar.

What happens if organisations ignore this?

• Frustrations and misunderstandings increase

• Talent is unevenly evaluated or utilised

• Diversity remains symbolic rather than effective

Without understanding how these mechanisms work, diversity initiatives risk remaining superficial — or triggering resistance.

Building a shared language and psychological safety around these topics is essential for meaningful inclusion.

What this enables

Our approach

The Diversity Fresco was initiated by ESSEC Business School in collaboration with Belugames, under the academic guidance of Junko Takagi. 

Inspired by the Climate Fresco methodology, it is a collective intelligence workshop built on behavioural science.

Participants work with concept cards covering:

• Cognitive biases (e.g. confirmation bias, in-group bias)

• Stereotypes and prejudice

• Discrimination (intentional and unintentional)

• Legal and organisational levers

• Core DEI concepts (equality, equity, privilege, intersectionality)

The workshop unfolds in structured rounds. In each round, participants engage in short interactive games before collectively organising the concept cards. These experiential exercises make abstract mechanisms tangible and spark honest dialogue.

Through facilitated debriefs, the group maps how discrimination mechanisms operate — and where intervention is possible.

This is not a lecture.
It is a fully interactive, experience-based learning process that makes blind spots visible.

Format

• 3 hours (on-site)

• 10–16 participants

• Facilitated workshop

A crucial next step: consolidation

The Fresco opens the conversation.
The consolidation workshop turns insight into sustained change.

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