Emphasizing a Shared Understanding

We are making progress in having more authentic conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace and at home. DE&I professionals are not solely responsible for educating and aligning employees; executives and employee resource group members are also invested in sharing viewpoints.

Companies that once held annual trainings now are empowering employees with an ongoing stream of tools and resources that are available to build their skills. Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), healthcare providers and vendors also are offering trainings and speakers that can enhance internal initiatives. So much information now exists that the greatest challenge is selecting from among the abundance of available and credible opportunities.

This deepening interest in DE&I has made it possible for frank conversations to take place across companies and for courageous employees to tell their stories. It is more important than ever for companies to create an environment where employees feel safe talking about their experiences, ask thoughtful questions, and listen with respect and sensitivity. Some examples of the substantive dialogues taking place across organizations include:

·  Black History Month (BHM) (February 2021): BHM 2021 centered on The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. This theme offered opportunities for people to talk about their current, everyday experiences at home and in the workplace. Many organizations continued conversations they began last summer on health equity, policies, careers, and other related issues.

·  Attacks Against Asian Elders: The recent wave of attacks on Asian elders has led Asian American community leaders to become more vocal about violence in the community. Celebrities and individuals are using their voices to share stories inside their organizations as well as externally, requesting that others stand in support with them through this crisis.

·  International Women’s Day (IWD): With so many firsts for women—first female, non-white Vice President; first Asian Major League Baseball Manager; and first woman to head the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury—there are many opportunities for companies to help rising stars explore new possibilities. Now using March as International Women’s month, companies and organizations are aligning with the “Choose to Challenge” theme and empowering women to share their stories about what it took to get where they are in their careers.

Creating a substantive and meaningful internal program requires a dedicated effort that links DE&I leaders with a communications expert, who can strategize in advance about the variety of stories to share throughout multiple internal and external communications channels. Taking the time to thoughtfully develop your DE&I calendar of events and touchpoints yields valuable results by inspiring employees to take meaningful action, exchange stories and broaden their awareness.

How is your organization engaging in these conversations differently than in prior years? What would significant progress look like for your company?