The UCLA Anderson community attracts people from a range of diverse backgrounds, identities and points of view. Seeking shared success, we commit to making inclusion more than a value; we make it a practice. At times, this comes easy. Other times, communicating with those from different backgrounds can be rightly challenging, and experiencing some discomfort is a necessary step toward inclusion and growth. We embrace these opportunities with the ECHO approach: being Engaged, Courageous, Humble and Open to ensure that we hear each person the way that person wants to be heard.

Engaged, we embrace conversation, rather than flee, dominate, or shut it down.

Courageous, we address — rather than avoid — difficult topics.

Humble, we check on whether we are understanding and communicating well.

Open, we offer authentic perspectives with care and candor.
How ECHO Works
We won’t pretend that this is easy. When our actions upset others, it is not always possible to immediately reach a resolution and diffuse everyone’s discomfort. Left unchecked, confusion and frustration can lead to hostility, disrespect and avoidance, preempting the healthy conversations that give rise to diversity’s long-term benefits. Consider these examples of potentially derailing encounters, which are based on actual student experiences:
- A male student says to a female student, “That’s a big tattoo! Did you get your husband’s permission to do that?”
- A U.S.-born guest lecturer avoids calling on students whose names may be difficult to pronounce.
- Student organizers of a cultural event choose to present art produced by a confessed sex offender, despite objections by some peers.
The ECHO approach takes on these situations in an almost literal way. To stay engaged when we respond to challenging viewpoints, misperceptions and other frustrations, we must first attempt to echo what we’ve heard in order to make sure we’ve understood the speaker’s intent:
- “Before I respond, can I clarify something? Were you concerned that _________, or was it something else?”
- “I’m hearing that you feel ________; is that correct?”
- “Quick check, when you said ________, did that mean you ______?”
With this kind of engagement, we can more accurately understand what someone has said and create a shared awareness of one another’s views. We can then courageously explore and respond to those views — committed to being humble and open as opportunities arise — and thus increase our chances of having an informed and respectful dialogue.
Additional Resources
UCLA Anderson and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are continuously investing in inclusive skills development for all members of the community. Currently, our principles are being integrated into coursework, co-curricular workshops and student-led events such as LGBTQ Awareness Week and Embracing Diversity Week.