Diversity and Inclusion Matters

Chapter 7Execute on the Plan

Audio Must Match Video

Recently, I purchased a new TV. I decided there was no reason to read the directions. I figured I love technology, and I'm reasonably handy, so there was no need for directions. What could go wrong?

I soon realized that every channel was in a foreign language. My first thought was that the cable company inadvertently sold me a lineup of channels for this particular foreign language. I assumed all I needed to do would be to change the channel to a local station. I was wrong! The local channel was also in a foreign language. The characters from a very popular US sitcom were speaking in English, I could tell, but the audio was something else. The audio did not match the video. The sound and the action didn't match.

A simple principle of watching TV is that the audio has to match the video. What we say must match what we do. If your company is committed to DE&I, what you say must match what you do. It is important that the DE&I commitment should be reflected in your code of conduct and incorporated into your mission statement. You should publicly state that you are committed to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and that commitment must also be reflected in your policies and in what your company does. It is one thing to say you are committed to fair pay for everyone, but is that in a policy or a process where pay analysis is done annually? Additionally, employees need to know the company has to, and can, act on its statements. It's ...