𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 I𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐃&𝐈) 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤

Every organization I work with acknowledges this. Why? 

🤔 Because it requires openness, efforts, intentionality and consistency. It can also be difficult to translate into tangible results: how will it improve my business?

💡 Actually, reports like McKinsey’s D&I series (link below) have truly helped to build the business case showing that hashtag#D&I aren’t just moral imperatives (doing what seems right)—they truly drive performance. A diverse, inclusive organization is more 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝, and ultimately, more 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥.

🛑 We have examples of organizations that did not challenge the dominant (and often toxic) thinking and shut down divergent views ended up badly (from financial crisis to major security or health issues causing them public blame – on top of the tragic impact on their staff, reputation, customers, users, and ecosystem).

Corporate hashtag#culture is key. This is where all starts. Without active conversations, visibility, actions that match conversations, and clear metrics, D&I efforts fade or lead to hashtag#peoplewashing. 

𝐒𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐃&𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞?

There is no perfect recipe but let me share some key attributes I have seen working in every context:

1️⃣ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

D&I is a continuous commitment, not a one-time initiative. Consistent policies and focus, real leadership actions, and tracking progress are essential.

2️⃣ (𝐑𝐞)𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 

Equip your teams. Go step by step, from awareness, to focusing on inclusive leadership and collaboration across differences. Use it as a forum to exchange ideas, point of views and perspectives. hashtag#collectiveIntelligence. Regular reinforcements, based on people’s experience work well.

3️⃣ 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 

Psychological safety is crucial for people to speak up and contribute authentically. Embedding D&I into your culture starts with creating these safe environments, otherwise people shut down and check-out, with potential critical consequences.... maybe not tomorrow, but not in a so distant future.

Diversity challenges the status quo, the way I think, I feel, I behave, I act. It goes way beyond the surface. That's why it is hard work, but getting it right builds an organization that thrives.

👉 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮—𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬?

If hashtag#Diversity & hashtag#Inclusion resonates with you, reach out! I’ve developed a series of interactive workshops to help teams grow through cross-cultural awareness, bias, gender, and more. Because when people thrive, businesses do as well.