UNBIAS

CHAPTER 8Leaders Take Action

Now that your leadership team is aligned in its purpose and valuation of increased diversity and inclusion, it is time to get to work. So often organizations want to jump right to this step to check the box and move on, and I hope that by now you understand that D&I initiatives can only move forward successfully and sustainably when there is genuine buy‐in based on real information from your employees.

Ultimately, the goal of diversity and inclusion is to establish equity across your entire organization, but equity doesn't happen by just talking about it.

Equity is literally the quality of being fair and impartial. Equity at work requires the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while also working to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some employees. Yet the word “fair” can be problematic.

Life is not fair. You play with the hand you're dealt, and you don't complain. However, a workplace is a forum that is created by the leaders. There isn't chance at play. The practices, policies, and procedures have been put in place by people just like you. And in the same way they were deliberately created, they can be amended to address the barriers that also exist, whether intentional or not. But it's the “addressing barriers” part that people struggle with. It can give the impression you may be required to give people special treatment in order to right a past wrong.

Life may not be ...