Diversity Network’s Post

If you care more about avoiding a 2024 backlash, because of your support for #diversity #equity and #inclusion, in comparison to pushing forward with your 2020 #DEI commitments, I truly hope you ask yourself (and the leaders pushing you in this direction) what you want to stand for and how you want to grow your business. ⚖ The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report on Business and Racial Justice provides critical insights into why a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) remains vital for businesses ⚖ 🧠 Rising Concerns About Racism: Two-thirds of respondents are concerned about systemic racism in the U.S., with personal experiences of racism increasing by 9% since 2020. This underscores the ongoing need for businesses to address these issues actively. 🧠 Trust in Business is Conditional: While only 32% believe businesses are currently doing well in addressing racism, trust in businesses can increase significantly (by 24 percentage points) when they are perceived as genuinely committed to serving the interests of diverse communities. 🧠 Expectations for Leadership: The majority of people now expect businesses to take the lead in addressing systemic racism, even as trust in other institutions like government and media remains low. Specifically, 71% trust their employer more than any other institution to tackle racial injustice. 🧠 DEI as a Workplace Imperative: Six in ten people consider an inclusive work culture with robust diversity programs crucial for attracting and retaining talent. This is especially important as a growing number of individuals expect their employers to uphold and defend DEI initiatives, even when these efforts face external criticism. 🧠 Business Risks in Pulling Back on DEI: There's been a notable backlash against DEI initiatives, but the report highlights that withdrawing from these commitments is "inadvisable," as it risks eroding trust and undermining brand reputation. Investing and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion will play a critical role in your organization fostering equity, supporting justice and maintaining trust and competitiveness in our global business world. #Edelman #business #belonging #culture #leadership #innovation

Do we have too many Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) experts? And how do we navigate ‘culture wars’ on social media? At the Annual D&I Conference held in partnership with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Kelly Thomson (Partner, Employment, Engagement & Equality and ESG Strategy Lead) and Rachel Pears (Head of Responsible Business) address four common myths and misconceptions surrounding DEI. #DEI #Diversity #Inclusion #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #ESG

The power of diversity and inclusion isn't just a moral imperative, it's a strategic advantage. AESC's 2023 DEI report reveals organisations that prioritise hashtag #DEI outperform! Discover the "why" & "how" of effective hashtag #DEI strategies: https://lnkd.in/dgEfpDsk Join AIMS International, a proud AESC member, in making hashtag #DEI more than just words. Explore our key insights from the AESC's 2023 DEI Report and start creating a more equitable workplace today. #aimsinternational #executivesearch #socialjusticeday #representationmatters #diversityandinclusion #DEI #WeFindandGrow

You can't just say yes, diversity is good and let it happen organically! Embracing diversity requires intentional and strategic action. As the quote rightly points out, we can't merely agree that diversity is beneficial and expect it to flourish on its own. At JL Governance Advisory Inc., we know diversity and inclusion demand deliberate efforts, policy changes, and continuous commitment. We strive to create an environment where diverse voices are empowered and integral to our success. Diversity and inclusion drive innovation and growth. Building a truly inclusive culture needs a strategic, data-driven approach, leveraging DE&I best practices. By championing diversity at all levels, we unlock diverse perspectives and exponential value creation. Diversity is the secret sauce for high-performing, future-ready organizations. Who's ready to lead this critical business imperative? #Diversity #Inclusion #DEI #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Empowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #InclusiveCulture #BusinessImperative #StrategicDiversity #WomenInLeadership #DiverseVoices #CorporateGovernance #SustainableBusiness #UnlockPotential

Diversity remains as important as it ever was, but recent events have made the topic polarizing to some. This backlash shouldn't dissuade companies from further DEI efforts, but it does highlight the need for a different approach going forward. Rather than investing in well-intentioned efforts to raise awareness in the short-term, organizations need to focus on a long-term strategic focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, putting these key elements at the center of their culture. #DEI #CompanyCulture

Had the opportunity to stumble in and article on 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' was able to have some thoughts on it. In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are more than just buzzwords—they are essential elements for fostering innovation, driving growth, and creating resilient organizations. Investing in DEI is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic imperative that can propel your organization forward. By fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, we can create workplaces where everyone thrives, innovation flourishes, and businesses achieve growth and sustainable success. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on DEI in the comments below! #Inclusion #Equity #Innovation #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture

What do we love about Oliver Holmes? His commitment to building a kinder, fairer world through #Diversity, #Equity, #Inclusion. Oliver’s leadership at Browne Jacobson is all about creating meaningful change, grounded in investment, collaboration, and the power of people. As Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Browne Jacobson, Oliver has been instrumental in driving the firm to the top of the Social Mobility Index 2023 for the fourth consecutive year. His approach to D&I isn’t just strategic - it’s deeply human. Oliver shares some powerful insights in our #InclusionBig4 mini-interview series. Here's his take: #Q1: What do you think is the biggest challenge organisations are facing when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion right now? #A1: "Not making the right investment in D&I and failing to listen & meet the expectations of their employees. To unlock the power of a diverse workforce, you need to create a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. This requires dedicated resources and cannot be efficiently led by someone 'side of desk'. Make the investment – I promise it will be worth the reward." Oliver’s passion and dedication are not just inspiring - they’re a reminder that with the right focus and resources, we can all contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world. Read Olivers' Inclusion Big 4 here: https://lnkd.in/eR7BHR3m #InclusionHeroes #MahoganyInclusion #LeadershipInDiversity #SocialMobility #BigInclusion4

In the midst of a global pandemic and calls for racial justice, I recall going to work on a Tuesday morning four years ago to process and grieve the tragic murder of George Floyd. In the following weeks, there was a surge of organizational leaders seeking ways to discuss race, systemic racism, and inequity. The inquiries were endless: How do we talk about race at work? How do we integrate IDEA into our training programs and strategic plans? It's 2024 and we still have a lot of work to do to foster conversations about understanding race and equity matters, fostering an inclusive environment for all people, and seeking justice for communities disproportionately affected by systemic racism. Integrating IDEA into our personal and professional lives is an ongoing process that requires commitment and a willingness to change and grow. Four years after the murder of George Floyd, are companies backtracking on DEI? No, the majority of companies remain dedicated. Many may need to revisit why race equity matters as they review and revise workplace policies to promote race equity and adopt best practices. In the face of DEI resistance, many need skilled experts to support them on their journey. What remains certain is that stakeholder expectations have not changed. 🌈 ⚖ ♿ Employee Expectations: According to CNBC (2021), 80% of employees want inclusive companies, and 9 out of 10 leaders still feel pressure from stakeholders to address IDEA (Chief, 2024). ✋🏿 ✋🏾 ✋🏽 ✋🏼 ✋🏻 Support for DEI: Pew Research (2023) indicates that a significant majority of Black (78%), Asian (72%), and Hispanic (65%) workers believe that focusing on DEI at work is beneficial. 🌳 ↗ Continued Investment: A report from Chief (2024) reveals that 80% of companies are still investing in IDEA initiatives. Of these, 36% intend to maintain their current initiatives, while 44% are poised to enhance and develop new ones. The path forward involves Leaders remembering George Floyd and their steadfast commitment to IDEA. This way organizations can contribute to a more equitable and just society. #GeorgeFloyd #DEI #InclusiveLeadership #inclusion #allyship #equity #diversity #accessibility #leadership ✨ Let's talk! ✨   I'm Dr. Adriana B. Rojas, a bilingual IDEA Principal Consultant, and I'm deeply passionate about applying an outcome and data-driven approach to learning experiences, all while emphasizing personal growth and our shared humanity. My mission is to collaborate with you on innovative and strategic projects, supporting your pursuit of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) goals and desired outcomes. Whether it's strategy, training assessments, or leadership coaching, I'm here to partner with you.   📆 Schedule a free 30-minute consultation: https://lnkd.in/e28Ui5V4 🔗 Explore Social Justice Works: https://www.sjworks.co/ 🎥 Watch my TEDx Talk on Courageous Conversations: https://lnkd.in/erC6KMzX

🔍 Curious about the future of DEI initiatives? Check out our latest blog post on the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Let’s discuss how companies can adapt and thrive in this new era. #DEI #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership https://lnkd.in/ecPBmdgY

This free event will provide some great insights into how we can all work towards greater Inclusion. #inspireinclusion #changingbehavioursshiftingmindsets