Licensed professionals in areas such as law, funeral services, and social work, are expected to be empathetic, understanding, and culturally sensitive. Supporting a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture for clients and employees is not just a strategic move but an ethical requirement.
Employers in these professions know this, yet they still struggle to implement their D&I plans. Despite all the training, they are still getting discrimination complaints. They need a roadmap.
Fortunately, my colleague-turned-friend, Leslie Short, has provided one with her book Expand Beyond Your Current Culture: Diversity and Inclusion for CEOs and Leadership. In this book, she explores the limitations of traditional D&I programs, advocating instead for a strategic and proactive paradigm shift. This insightful book is not just a guide; it’s a call to action.
Employers, if you are not going beyond check-the-box knowledge delivery and marketing campaigns, you will not be able to compete. You need an “unlimited vision” for D&I—a vision fully integrated into every level and department of your organization, not merely treated as a standalone initiative.
Here’s a glimpse into the transformative insights and practical strategies presented.
Challenge Biases and Foster Cultural Understanding
Short urges leaders to confront their biases regarding various cultural differences. We all have biases. It’s whether we are willing to search for them and what we do with them once we identify them that matters. Yet few employers have truly created safe spaces for the messy work that needs to be done to transform their workplace cultures.
Rethink Traditional D&I Approaches
Past D&I efforts have focused on checking boxes, with a focus on diversity. Although it’s important to have measurable goals, such as increasing diversity by a specific percentage, this often leaves many employees from historically underrepresented groups to navigate biases, implicit and explicit, on their own. The inclusion piece is often missing.
Short shares her personal stories, as well as those of employees of her clients, helping readers understand “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Additionally, she offers ways of measuring needs and progress.
Cultivate a Culture of Inclusion
Creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected is essential. This is nothing new. Statistics have proven for years that more diverse leadership teams produce better results. What they don’t show is how those diverse teams are trusted and supported. Short outlines practical tips for:
- aligning company culture with vision and goals
- demonstrating D&I commitment to employees
- having meaningful conversations about D&I
- educating and sensitizing all employees from senior leaders to new hires
Key Takeaways
- D&I extends beyond hiring diverse employees; it’s about creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
- Leadership plays a pivotal role in actively promoting D&I.
- Building a diverse and inclusive culture demands continuous effort and unwavering commitment.
- The positive outcomes of D&I benefit both individuals and organizations alike.
Conclusion
Expand Beyond Your Current Culture is more than a resource; it’s a catalyst for change. Leslie Short challenges readers to move beyond the status quo, offering practical strategies and insights that propel organizations toward genuine inclusivity. This book is a must-read for CEOs, leaders, and anyone passionate about creating workplaces that are:
- Diverse
- Inclusive
- Peaceful
- Productive
Need to improve your DEI programs?
(No. We’re not getting a commission. We just like to promote others doing transformative work.)