DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Take Your Company to the Next Level

Imagine That

Just before the onset of COVID-19, Oklahoma launched a new state logo and tagline that was the talk of the state- imagine that.

No one at that time could have ever imagined that we would be one year into a devastating pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, brought new words like social distancing, stigma, and pandemic into the forefront of our vocabulary.  We had hard pivots into virtual learning and remote working, and a massive shift to what has become our new normal.

It’s easy to wonder- how could this have happened to us?

DEI: the Will to Change

“How could the most developed, economically strong- world power be sitting in the midst of such uncertainty, unprecedented unemployment, and devastating inequity impacting our most vulnerable populations made worse a myriad of other challenges across health, education, workforce, social and racial justice?”

Instead of asking why this is happening TO us- Ms. Brown asks us to think about why this is happening FOR us.

DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals

Imagine that, despite our global challenges, climate change, educational, health and economic inequity that perhaps this is your organization’s chance to reconsider, rebuild, restructure, and restore your organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The benefits of the increased value of DEI are not imaginary. 76% of companies have no DEI goals. Organizations taking action to create an inclusive environment are achieving 3X the revenue growth of less inclusive organizations, are 18% more effective in creating a positive employee experience, and better at retaining employees with turnover rates that are 4% lower than those organizations not taking action. [McLean & Company Trends Report, 2020]  

We are only as strong as the weakest among us. Increasing your knowledge and awareness of diverse, equitable, and inclusive strategies makes us stronger. Imagine that, even as we are still somewhat in the midst of social distancing, our organizations are no longer isolated from each other. Let’s take the time to address connectivity to our employees and community by being thoughtful and intentional about the ways we leverage DEI to learn, train and engage.

Kuma-headshot

Kuma Roberts, Senior Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Consultant – Arrowhead Consulting