Challenge what you Associate With the term “Diversity”

What do you think of when you hear the term “diversity”? What automatically comes to mind? Is it quotas? Is it Affirmative Action? Is it recruiting? Is it “diversity of thought”?

If so, these are all legacy associations with the term or attempts to get around what the real DEI conversation is about. It’s about difference. It’s about dimensions of humanity and identity. It’s about intentionally evaluating and acknowledging the composition of a workforce or team or group. It’s about the importance of representation. It’s about hiring AND MAINTAINING a workforce that reflects society. Be honest with yourself about what diversity really means and get into a dialogue that’s really going to move the needle. Skirting around it isn’t going to get you or any of us anywhere. If we can’t boldly discuss identity and difference and the intentional changes that must take place to create organizations that mirror the communities they serve and operate in, all of the so-called solutions we come up with will just fall flat. And by the way, if you think it’s hard to discuss diversity, imagine living with the consequences of it not being addressed.