4 practical steps for DEIAB progress in politically hostile times
Navigating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) initiatives can be especially challenging right now. When we look ahead to the future or closer at our current experience, we could be seeing, feeling or experiencing different forms of hostility towards DEIAB. This post outlines four practical steps to foster systemic DEIAB progress.
We don’t need a diversity statement. We need to see that you are putting money behind DEIAB efforts and have a plan for implementation, sustainability, and communicating updates and results.
We don’t need to be coddled. We need transparency and authenticity. Share the challenges and acknowledge the complexity of making progress towards the goals and achievements of the organization. The more transparency in processes, promotions, hiring, decision making, and pay equity work, the better (future) employees can understand the steps they can take towards growth and innovation.
Adjust the strategy. Just because things have been done a certain way, doesn’t mean it will continue to be the best way forward. Think carefully about how each change can be seen from multiple perspectives. Make changes with transparency, which means sharing the “why” and expected outcomes–as well as the shortcomings–that come with any choices made. There is not one right way to get to where yourorganization want to go, but we can thoughtfully share why a pivot or shift is happening.
With the remaining weeks of this year and Q1 of 2025, I strongly recommend working with the professionals within your organization or hire a professional consultant to take a look at your current strategic plan and help youidentify a few ways to the strengthen the connection between the budget and your mission, values, and goals of the organization. This is an important part of building an organization with a culture of care that nurtures innovation and job satisfaction.
I am open to new clients as we close out 2024 and welcome you to schedule your free consultation appointment, where you get a chance to share more about a few scenarios your organization is navigating and I share ideas and steps that I could support you. I hope you will reach out for support.
