Does diversity & inclusion training really work?

Does diversity & inclusion training really work?

In this week’s email

  • What’s on our mind: Does diversity & inclusion training really work?
  • Register for our next webinar
  • The latest episode of Techish (Follow us on YouTube)
  • Free inclusion resources

How to make DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) work for your team

Have you ever doubted whether diversity training really works? You’re not alone. Many initiatives and projects fail for a variety of reasons — from being outdated to feeling like a tick-box exercise. It can easily be seen as a ‘must do’ not a ‘want to do’ at work, which builds resistance and misunderstanding between groups.

The truth is, diversity and inclusion training isn’t just a ‘nice to have’. When we are able to successfully identify, accept and work on our inherent biases, we create better products, build stronger teams and create a more productive workplace. Who doesn’t want that?

It’s all about the approach — DEI training should be holistic

A recent BBC report shows that where managers feel forced into changing how they work or deprioritised for ‘trending’ current affairs — diversity outcomes have actually worsened. The approach to diversity should be based on a holistic journey, rather than arbitrary rules or ‘viral’ moments in the public discourse.

It’s all about a long-term, phased approach — this changes everything. For example, after rolling out our recommended programme with insights and analytics company, GWI (Global Web Index) the results were impressive: with the number of employees who valued diversity increasing from 61% in 2020 to 90% in 2021. A total of 200 participants took part in the program, leading to a 22% year-on-year increase in participation in the annual D&I survey.

Chelsea Coates, Chief People Officer at GWI, said:

“Hustle Crew have been organised, efficient and collaborative to help us in our D&I work at GWI. The turnaround between our initial conversation and the first workshop was incredibly fast, and the team were helpful and supportive throughout the process. The impact of these sessions has been phenomenal and has started a really healthy conversation in our organization that we intend to continue. This would not have been possible without the expertise, empathy and experience Hustle Crew brought to the table, thank you Hustle Crew Team!”

DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) training and initiatives should improve our interactions at work, rather than alienate people. Here are some considerations for your team to achieve the right balance, based on our experience delivering thousand of hours of training since 2016.

  • Try not to take it personally. D&I training is something that is designed to tackle the system, it’s not a personal attack on your character. The training is designed to start a conversation, not call anyone out.
  • Using positive and negative terminologies. It’s important to remember the terms used will determine the outcome of a D&I workshop. Terms such as “mandatory,” and “trouble” ignite negativity, which then causes employees’ walls to go up and the mindset becomes fixed – meaning the information won’t be absorbed.
  • Don’t view it as a box-ticking exercise. At the end of the day, people are people and everyone deserves respect. Be aware of your own privilege and ask, “if it was me, how would I feel?” the response may shock you.
  • Get external support. Bringing in an external consultant or specialist can bring another perspective to the team, not to mention tried and tested strategies that have been successful time and time again.

For more information visit our Insights page or listen to Techish.

Future-proof your workforce with Hustle Crew

  • Would you like to improve your diversity and training programmes within your company?
  • Do you want to raise cultural awareness and understanding across all communities in your company?
  • Would you like to retain your top underrepresented talent by supporting them with the best resources?

Welcome to Hustle Crew. Since 2016, we’ve been helping companies like Sky, Stella McCartney and more to become more diverse, through our Recommended Programme — which includes ‘Fostering Inclusion’ and ‘Understanding Bias’ workshops. Navigating conversations about diversity can be challenging, but driving long-lasting change in your company is possible.

Register for our next webinar

If your team is still in that awkward stage of adjusting to post-Pandemic work routines like returning to the office on regular days — our next webinar is for you!

As more and more leadership teams urge their workforce to return to the office, we’re here to help you create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of their role, seniority, or background.

Join Hustle Crew’s new Head of Learning & Development, Benjy Kusi, alongside Founder & CEO Abadesi Osunsade for actionable advice. They will also answer your questions live. Feel free to invite your team along.

Register via this link

Brand new #Techish, listen to the latest episode

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Free inclusion resources


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