Continuing the DEI Journey: 2022 Year in Review

As 2022 comes to a close let’s look at the State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), including progress made, obstacles overcome, and opportunities that are ripe for the picking in the upcoming year and beyond.  Pulse Check . . .  There’s no doubt that the George Floyd tragedy in 2020, fueled a global recognition […]

DEI Conversations: Where Is the Script?

Clients often ask us for a script of things they are “supposed to say” in DEI conversations. This request tends to come because people are feeling fearful or frustrated.   People who are fearful want to know what to say to help them avoid what not to say. They worry about unknowingly saying something offensive […]

Embedding Neurodiversity Into Your DE&I Strategy

We talk a lot about the various dimensions of diversity in the workplace and society at large. From gender to race to orientation—there’s been a great deal of dialogue and even notable progress. However, another type of diversity is quickly gaining awareness and becoming a hot topic in terms of inclusion; and that centers on […]

Planning An Inclusive Holiday Celebration

We’re preparing for the upcoming Holiday season and looking forward to time with family and friends. As we mark the holidays in the workplace, we need to remain mindful and intentional to ensure that we’re inclusive and extending a sense of belonging to everyone—taking into account the rich diversity of traditions within today’s increasingly diverse […]

5 Myths About Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the terms “diversity, equity, and inclusion?” Reactions certainly run the gamut, but we’d be fooling ourselves if we think references to DE&I evoke the same psychological and emotional response from everyone in the same way. While many might believe that DEI is “awesome” or […]

3 Tips For Leaders Talking About DEI

Leaders are under more and more pressure to speak out and speak up about DEI-related issues, both inside their companies and as spokespeople for their organizations. Many CEOs can feel like DEI is “above their pay grade” in that it is not their area of expertise nor what they were hired for, and is a […]

The Role of Engagement in DEI

There’s a lot of buzz about employee engagement these days—especially as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, a fairly recent article in Harvard Business Review claimed that businesses in the U.S. invest approximately $8 billion annually on DEI initiatives and training. The question that raises is are these investments worth it? Do […]

Managing Resistance for Increased Engagement

A recent study of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion programs conducted by Culture Amp—an employee engagement firm—found that while 81 percent (81%) of organizations surveyed reported some degree of commitment to DEI initiatives and programs, only 34 percent reported adequate investment in those programs and initiatives. And herein lies the sticking point, according to many […]

The Danger Lurking Behind External Benchmarks

When we kick off discussions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) surveys, clients often say benchmarks are a requirement. When probed, they explain how “leadership will not take the results seriously without benchmarks.” They are referring to external benchmarks (also known as ‘norms’), which are used to compare their survey results to those of other […]

Can Too Much Inclusion Lead To Confusion?

Inclusion is not some nebulous concept. It’s a critical business priority that stokes innovation and increases organizational performance in real terms. Therefore, it’s important that inclusion is strategic and efficient in process and deployment to arrive at the desired outcomes. Some might believe that inclusion means everyone has a voice on every matter or decision; […]