Cultivate a culture of belonging at your organization with these useful steps to understanding and building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
In order for a company to reach its full potential, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is the main staple that every company needs. Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity are the main ingredients to make every company successful; and once these tools are properly embedded into your business-the prosperity of your company will be evident.
Some might ask, what is DEI and how does it impact a business? According to qualtrics.com, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion –frequently referred to as DEI – is the umbrella term for the programs, policies, strategies, and practices that execute a company’s mission to create and sustain a diverse,equitable, and inclusive environment, no matter what an
employee’s:ethnicity,sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, religion, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, national origin, and veteran status.”
Imagine a board/meeting room. What comes to mind?
The first things you think about are probably material and/or external things-such as a big round table, rolling office chairs, maybe even a big projector screen.
Who do you imagine when you think about those that are filling the office chairs?
Another question-what might you think the purpose of board meetings are? The website lifesize.com states that “The purpose of board meetings is for the directors to talk about any issues that the company is facing, review the company's performance and discuss new policies to be enacted.”
With that being said, the motive is to discuss current matters to determine what changes, if any, are necessary in order to refine the execution of their operations. Regardless of whether or not they are mindful of their responsibilities, boards play a crucial role in the establishment's DEI work.
So how can DEI influence boards?
Richard Branson said,“Two heads are definitely better than one and by sourcing ideas from each other, you have a better chance of coming up with a strategy that will allow your business to overcome a setback or challenge.”
Having a diverse group of people allows for not only a wide variety of opinions and ideas, but it also allows for employees to feel acknowledged and included.
Board meetings should serve as a safe space for directors as well as employees to be able to share their thoughts and experiences confidently. Directors should also encourage their staff to give honest feedback on things that can be improved within their workspace.
At The Self Care Network LLC, we strive to provide the necessary Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity tools and resources to be able to accomplish this goal.
There are always improvements that can be made to ensure that all personnel, no matter their background, feel recognized and involved.
Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits,” everyday-democracy.org.