Adjust Your Expectations About How Other People Will Embrace DEI

You may have heard the saying “Don’t expect yourself from other people.” Essentially, it means that you shouldn’t expect other people to think and act the way you do. That makes sense considering that we’re all different and our unique personalities, perspectives, and thought patterns have been shaped by our own individual experiences.

This concept holds true when it comes to DEI.

I’ve seen some leaders and champions express frustration with their DEI efforts because other people just won’t get on board. So they give up. We have to keep in mind that everyone is in their own place on their DEI journey. Some people are still testing the waters and trying to grasp what it means. Some people are active advocates who have been doing their own work for years. And some people are simply uninterested. Your perception of resistance or unwillingness might simply reflect different levels of awareness. Bottom line – don’t let your commitment diminish just because everyone around you is not at the same place. I firmly believe that more people want to make change than just accept the status quo when it comes to exploring and embracing difference; they typically just don’t know how. Keep your eye on those people and work with them. If you’re willing to meet them where they are, you’ll find you have a lot more companions on this journey than you realize.

Remember to give grace. DEI is not your typical business challenge. There is no standard solution. DEI work is about people and transforming ways of thinking, being, and doing. As with any change, we all approach it differently. Embrace that truth and shift your focus from frustration to progress.