Summary

This article, published by Harvard Business Review, juxtaposes the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging perception of company leaders and their employees. While most employers believe their DEIB efforts are excelling, their employees say otherwise. This powerful piece challenges leaders to uncover their employees’ DEIB needs and align them with their current practices. Author Jeremie Brecheisen walks the reader through 10 needs that employees feel aren’t being met and offers a deeper understanding of how leaders can create real change. Brecheisen encourages leaders to truly listen to what their employees are saying regarding their DEIB experience and share updates regarding DEIB initiatives consistently and frequently. Not only will this foster respect, but it will also uncover diversity blind spots and trust gaps within the organization – all of which drive the world toward a more diverse and inclusive environment.

 

Relevance

Many companies struggle with the disconnect between what is said to be happening and what employees are actually seeing in the organization. The likelihood of each of us experiencing this clash is high, especially when it comes to DEIB strategies. Holding leaders accountable for their DEIB efforts is an excellent way to continue to propel inclusion in the workplace. By regularly discussing them and tracking their progress, we can all play a pivotal role in shaping an organization’s DEIB and driving universal change. As you enter the workforce, prioritize opportunities to make DEIB part of the conversation.