Let’s talk about the real elephant in the room. No, not the metaphorical one that gets mentioned and then awkwardly ignored. We’re talking about equity—the thing your organization can’t afford to tiptoe around any longer.
Picture this: You’re making spaghetti. We all know that not every spaghetti dish tastes the same. Some are forgettable—bland, boring, and missing that magic. But add the right ingredients—fresh herbs, rich sauce, the perfect seasoning—and suddenly, you’ve got a flavorful dish that bursts with life.
That’s equity.
Equity is the secret ingredient that transforms your organization from bland and disconnected to vibrant, aligned, and thriving. Without it, things might “get by”—but they won’t inspire. Your team might function, but they won’t flourish. Your partners might support you, but they won’t champion you.
Here’s the deal: equity isn’t just a buzzword, and it’s certainly not a fad. It’s the game-changing ingredient that determines whether your organization thrives or just survives. Yet, many organizations treat it like that giant, looming elephant—obvious, uncomfortable, and easier to avoid.
Well, not anymore.
Avoiding the Elephant is Costing You
What happens when we ignore equity? The costs are real:
Trust Erodes: Funders, partners, and communities can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. Trust me it doesnt smell like team spirit~
Teams Disengage: When employees feel unseen, undervalued, or excluded, productivity tanks, and turnover skyrockets.
Operations Stall: Misalignment between leadership, boards, and teams creates bottlenecks, silos, and confusion.
Think of equity like the glue that holds your team together. Without it, the cracks start showing. And the longer you ignore the elephant, the harder it becomes to patch things up.
The Elephant Can Be Your Advantage
Here’s the good news: when you address equity, amazing things happen. Your elephant transforms from an uncomfortable problem into your greatest strength.
Picture this:
Your Board, Leadership, and Team Pulling Together. Everyone’s aligned on a shared vision, leading to clarity, trust, and smoother operations.
Engaged Teams Ready to Show Up and Shine. Employees who feel seen, valued, and supported bring their best selves to work.
Funders and Partners Wanting to Work With You. Organizations that center fairness and belonging attract attention—and support.
No More Silos—Just Impact. With equity baked into every decision, your organization becomes agile, efficient, and unstoppable.
So What Now?
You can keep ignoring the elephant (spoiler alert: it’ll still be there). Or you can turn it into your organization’s superpower.
Here’s where we come in: the Purple Elephant Tripod Effect is a simple yet transformative framework that aligns your leadership, board, and team around equity. It’s about action, not jargon—real tools that create real results.
The Purple ElephantTripod Effect represents the interconnected roles of board, leadership, and staff/volunteers working together to create a balanced and equitable organization. Like an elephant’s family structure, where every member plays a critical role in supporting the group, this effect highlights the importance of collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility.
The Head (Board): Vision and Strategy
The head represents the organization’s vision and strategy, just as the board provides governance and guidance. Equity begins at the top, with the board leading the way by:
Setting the strategic tone for fairness, inclusion, and long-term impact.
Ensuring diverse representation reflects the communities the organization serves.
Making data-driven decisions that prioritize equitable outcomes for all stakeholders.
Overseeing policies and resources that support the organization’s strategic goals.
When the head is aligned with equity, the organization has a clear and inclusive direction.
The Trunk (Leadership): Connection and Adaptability
The trunk is the most versatile part of an elephant, symbolizing leadership’s ability to connect, communicate, and act. Just as the trunk bridges the elephant’s head and body, leadership connects the board’s vision to staff and volunteers by:
Translating strategic goals into actionable initiatives.
Building trust and fostering collaboration across all levels of the organization.
Modeling inclusive behaviors create a culture of belonging.
Remaining adaptable to challenges and feedback to ensure equitable practices are maintained.
Leadership, like the trunk, ensures that every part of the organization works in harmony.
The Body (Staff/Volunteers): Strength and Operations
The body represents the operational backbone of the organization, much like staff and volunteers bring the mission to life. Equity within the body ensures that every individual is supported to contribute their best by:
Creating inclusive workplace policies that address systemic barriers.
Providing professional development and growth opportunities tailored to individual needs.
Encouraging collaboration and connection through initiatives like storytelling circles.
Ensuring all team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
A strong body ensures the organization’s day-to-day operations align with its equity goals.
The Legs: Stability and Movement (Collaboration and Action)
The legs provide stability and drive the elephant forward, symbolizing the collective movement of board, leadership, and staff working together. Equity in this context ensures:
Clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, promoting collaboration and reducing silos.
Policies and practices that dismantle systemic barriers and support fairness.
Consistent progress on People-First initiatives with actionable steps.
Celebrating milestones to maintain momentum and engagement.
The legs ensure the organization moves forward with purpose and balance.
The Ears: Listening and Awareness (Engagement and Feedback)
The elephant’s large ears symbolize active listening and awareness, representing how the organization engages with internal and external voices. Equity here means:
Listening to the needs, challenges, and feedback of staff, leadership, and board members.
Being attuned to community needs and ensuring initiatives align with those needs.
Creating open channels of communication where concerns are heard and addressed.
Responding to feedback with tangible changes that reflect fairness and inclusivity.
Active listening ensures the organization stays responsive and connected to those it serves.
6. The Tail: Accountability and Reflection (Sustainability and Improvement)
The tail may be small, but it plays an important role in balance and continuity, just as accountability and reflection ensure the organization stays aligned with its strategic goals. Equity in this area includes:
Regular assessments of People-First initiatives to measure impact and progress.
Transparent reporting to stakeholders on equity efforts and outcomes.
Using feedback and lessons learned to continuously improve policies and practices.
Celebrating achievements while setting new strategic goals for sustainable progress.
The tail ensures the organization remains steady, adaptable, and focused on equity over the long term.
Bottom Line:
Equity isn’t scary. It’s your secret weapon.
So let’s stop walking around the elephant and start walking with it. The future of your organization depends on it.
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