Guiding Principles of Diversity Work
“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.” – Ava DuVernay
Whenever I enter a diversity arrangement with a client, I share with them my Ten Guiding Principles of Diversity Work. I want to ensure that we are at the same starting point and, if we are not, for them to understand that the work of inclusion is not for the faint of heart. It is not for people who want another "fluff" talk on diversity. It is not for people who do not want to put actions behind words. It is not for anyone who isn't ready to recognize that the way things have always been done is simply not working for those who have long been marginalized in organizations.
Who is the hard work of inclusion for? It is for leaders who are ready to be honest, to get uncomfortable, to be brave, and most of all who are ready to center efforts not on those who have already succeeded, but on those who have longed and fought and worked and tried again and again for change. That's the work of inclusion. That's how we change the world.
Take a look at my ten principles of DEI work below. I hope they resonate with you and aid in your inclusion journey.
Do the work
This week, I commit to checking the stereotypes I bring into my conversations with others, and challenge myself to learn a perspective I only understand incompletely.
Spread the word
If you want to keep going
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. We know the words but what do they mean? And why should they matter for you and the work you do?
"How do we start?" I get that question a lot. Here's how we start - at the beginning, with the fundamentals. We will together define diversity (identities), equity (access), and inclusion (belonging), analyze how they relate to you and your workplace, and learn how to progress from a diverse workplace to an inclusive one where people can thrive and succeed.
