Setbacks in DEI work are normal. Let’s navigate them together.
We are navigating a world with a lot of challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. So when you launch initiatives within your organization, you will also likely encounter roadblocks, resistance, and unexpected challenges. I want to support organizations in building the skills to sustain themselves through the setbacks. We are going to need to those skills as we face the current and upcoming challenges.
Some of the most common setbacks I’ve encountered and supported clients through include:
Lack of buy-in from leadership
Resistance to change
Insufficient resources
Difficulty measuring impact
Unrealistic goals
Here are some of the ways I work with clients to overcome those challenges:
Strategic coaching and guidance with the leadership team to support them as individuals and work through scenarios that are coming up. We work together to identify ways that they can respond that will support the organization in moving forward.
Learning and development opportunities or workshops that help staff, managers, or leadership acclimate to the new systems in place. While we might naturally resist change because it create disruption in routines, we can support people with the tools they need and resources to call on as we update systems within an orgnaization. I offer expert facilitation with practical tools and techniques for helping staff feel confident in navigating the changes.
Facilitating an updated of the strategic plan to include the work the organization is doing and plans to continue to do to support a more healthy work environment. This can look like strategic plan building and it can look like investing in one initiative at a time, scaling for the amount of budget we do have so we don’t overextend.
Data driven insights that avoid sending out another email based survey. I work with clients through empathy interviews to collect qualitative data that helps us better understand how company culture is affecting different peoples’ experiences. These can be interviews or casual conversations that help us better understand how new shifts feel in the lived every day life of employees.
Ongoing support for goal setting. We all have big dreams, and the steps we take to achieve those dreams need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. I work with organizations to focus in on the specific change(s) that will be the focus of the work over the course of each year and making sure to right-size and re-size for the changes and shifts that come.
Managing our feeling about setbacks is an important part of this work. I want to offer a few key ways we can stay attuned to the setbacks and retain our energy and momentum for future work.
Acknowledge the setback: Don't ignore them or brush them off. Instead, acknowledge it and explore more of the root cause.
Reframe the situation: Look for opportunities within the setback. Perhaps it's a chance to pivot your strategy or engage with this topic or need different from before.
Seek support: Talk to colleagues, mentors, or a DEI consultant to gain fresh perspectives and practical advice.
Celebrate small wins: Recognize and appreciate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.
Learn from the experience: Use the setback as an opportunity to grow and improve your approach.
Don't let setbacks derail your DEI journey. Let's work together to overcome these challenges and keep the momentum.
Contact me today to discuss your organization's specific needs.
