In the quest for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, we’ve sought the wisdom of eight professionals from various fields, including Managing DEI Consultants to Directors. They’ve shared their most effective strategies, ranging from training managers for equitable management to promoting open dialogue among coworkers. Dive in to discover these invaluable insights on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
- Train Managers for Equitable Leadership
- Create a Culture of Belonging and Equity
- Amplify Underrepresented Voices Through Interviews
- Host Online Forums for Diverse Perspectives
- Involve Diverse Voices in Projects
- Celebrate Diversity Through Cultural Events
- Utilize Technology to Enhance Diversity
- Promote Open Dialogue Among Coworkers
Train Managers for Equitable Leadership
As a DEI consultant, I have successfully implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in workplaces by training managers on how to manage equitably and inclusively in:
- Giving regular and concrete feedback to everyone on their team,
- Assigning high-profile work equitably and rotating “housework”-type work (e.g. taking notes, sending invites, setting up and cleaning up space, and copy editing),
- Mitigating performance review biases, and
- Having conversational performance reviews with direct reports.
Nancy Wang Yuen, Managing DEI Consultant, Peoplism
Create a Culture of Belonging and Equity
To successfully implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, I prioritized creating a culture of belonging and equity. One key strategy is to foster open dialogue and engage employees in discussions about diversity and inclusion, valuing their perspectives.
I established employee resource groups, organized diversity training programs, and ensured diverse representation in decision-making processes. Additionally, I implemented unbiased recruitment and promotion practices and encouraged mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for underrepresented individuals.
By continuously assessing progress, promoting accountability, and nurturing an inclusive environment, I’ve successfully advanced diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Shannon Garcia-Lewis, Owner/Principal, Strategic Business Partners, LLC.
Amplify Underrepresented Voices Through Interviews
A fun little diversity and inclusion initiative that I created was to interview my underrepresented employees and let them tell their stories. I’ll typically turn this into a video I can post on my website and social media pages.
This interview isn’t anything formal. It’s simply a casual chat where employees can discuss their backgrounds, interests, and careers.
So if you’re looking for diversity and inclusion initiative ideas, consider interviewing your employees. It makes them feel heard, and your brand will come across as a diverse and fun place to work at.
Scott Lieberman, Owner, Touchdown Money
Host Online Forums for Diverse Perspectives
One successful diversity and inclusion initiative I have implemented in my workplace is to host regular online forums where employees of different backgrounds can openly share their perspectives on certain topics or issues.
This not only allows employees to come together and build understanding, trust, and respect among each other but it also raises awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Moreover, I find it beneficial to invite guest speakers with diverse backgrounds who can provide insight on these issues from different viewpoints; this helps broaden my understanding even further.
Overall, sharing experiences while encouraging participation is a great strategy that any organization looking to increase diversity and inclusion initiatives should consider; it fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie around these values within an organization.
Carly Hill, Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party
Involve Diverse Voices in Projects
At ZenMaid, we value diversity and inclusion. We’ve learned so much by simply being open to different voices and experiences. Bringing together people from various cultural backgrounds, genders, and ages, it’s made all the difference in our teamwork and creativity.
We got to thinking, why stay in our comfort zone when there’s a world of diverse talent out there? So, we began actively involving people from different backgrounds in our projects. We’ve seen a lot of innovation and new ways of solving problems. Diverse and inclusive policies have certainly given us an edge. This isn’t just nice to do, it has been a real business win.
Amar Ghose, CEO, ZenMaid
Celebrate Diversity Through Cultural Events
Every company should celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Though there are many ways our company does this, we mainly focus on organizing events that celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
We have different cultural festivals or holidays that we make sure to celebrate with our employees. These include Chinese New Year, Halloween, Shavuot, Easter, Eid Holidays, Christmas, and so much more. We have a diversity and inclusivity committee made of diverse individuals from different cultures, race, and gender that lead these events. Though quite simple celebrations, it allows us to celebrate with them and make the workplace more inclusive.
Jeff Moore, CEO, Everyday Power
Utilize Technology to Enhance Diversity
Use diversity and inclusion recruitment software. It is an excellent AI-driven solution for all businesses willing to improve workplace diversity. My company has been using Diversely’s D&I tool. This technology serves companies in many ways. It helps businesses become more inclusive and create a diversity-friendly work environment. The software measures a company’s current diversity, appeals to under-represented groups, and improves its candidate pipeline diversity.
This brilliant tool lets you quickly identify and replace discriminatory language and remove non-essential information from CVs. Consequently, the whole recruitment structure gets better.
Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, MyPerfectResume
Promote Open Dialogue Among Coworkers
In order to promote diversity and inclusion in my workplace, I successfully implemented and encouraged open and honest dialogue among coworkers of various experiences and backgrounds. This includes hosting workshops, motivating activities for team building, and providing my employees with training on diversity and inclusion.
Thus by creating such a peaceful environment in my workplace, it becomes easy for the employees to have difficult conversations easily and let them have a variety of perspectives and experiences.
Harman Singh, Director, Cyphere