HBR Women at Work Series Collection (3 Books)

16

How to Show White Men That Diversity and Inclusion Efforts Need Them

by Lily Zheng

Most leaders of big corporations outwardly support diversity and inclusion efforts. But in my work as a diversity and inclusion (D&I) consultant, I frequently get a behind-the-scenes look at how leaders truly feel, and a surprising number of people—from line managers to C-suite executives—express notedly less enthusiastic opinions in private.

“It seems like I’m not wanted in the room when D&I conversations start happening,” one person told me. “It feels like I’m part of the problem,” another said in frustration. And a third, in a rare admission of a common sentiment said, “It seems like everyone is out to get the white guys.”

According to the White Men’s Leadership ...