Are you “interested” or “committed” to diversity, equity, and inclusion?

It feels a bit of an understatement to say that the world around us is transforming in profound ways. Corporations, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies that want to remain resilient, dynamic, and successful are discovering that they need to be more than just” interested” in leveraging diversity and advancing equity and inclusion. They need to be “committed.”  This distinction has played out again and again in my career. One occasion was particularly memorable.

A number of years ago, I was invited to be the dinner speaker at a meeting with the board of directors of a non-profit organization that served a diverse community. My presentation topic focused on the importance of leveraging diversity and championing equity and inclusion.  Before my presentation, I met with the executive director to learn more about the organization. He explained that several years before, the organization had developed guiding principles on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I was pleased to hear this. The day of the presentation, I arrived in the main foyer to see the organization’s values prominently displayed in framed posters on the walls. This display solidified even more in my mind that I would be presenting to the converted. 

As my colleagues and I set up my equipment, I was periodically interrupted to be introduced to an individual board member upon their arrival. With each of these introductions, I took note that most board members were from the business world. But it wasn’t until my set-up was complete that I had my first chance to see all fifteen board members at the same time. In front of me sat fifteen white males, all in the same age range, and all – from what I had gleaned from the individual introductions – with similar professional backgrounds. It appeared that the organization’s commitment to diversity did not apply to the board of directors.

Taking in the uniformity of my audience brought an onset of panic. I had no idea how my message was going to be received. I was a bit unsettled, to say the least, as I delivered my presentation.  At the conclusion of my remarks, there was one of those awkward pauses. The board chair was the first to speak. “Thank you, John. Your message has given me lots to think about.” Then he continued, “I think it would be a fair statement that our board may have missed the mark in regard to walking the talk when it comes to diversity.”  Before I could respond, another board member jumped up. “Mr. Chair,” he said, “with all due respect, I think the board totally missed the mark!”. A very productive dialogue ensued. 

 Over the next year, these directors changed the composition of the board to better reflect the diverse perspectives and skills that they needed to govern more effectively, and incorporated a component on diversity, equity, and inclusion into the board orientation process.  These changes, and others definitely transitioned them from “interested” to “committed.” 

When we are “committed” in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion then we rock! And when we do it together, then…together we rock!