How to avoid just checking the DE&I box

Let’s Talk – Alina Polonskaia

I lead our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practice globally.

How to avoid just ‘checking the DE&I box’.

I would say, you know, put a mirror [to your organization] first, then put a plan of what you're going to do.

Commit to that plan, embark on the journey, address all the inequities uncovered.

Commit to that plan, embark on the journey, address all the inequities that you uncovered in that plan. And then in the long term, you really need to start building inclusive leadership capabilities, because every talent, everyone thrives under inclusive leadership. Everyone.

Real change doesn’t come easy.

I think that the real change doesn't come easy, right? It's a transformation process and I think the company and you as leader need to recognize that.

You will need to invest.

You will need to invest. You will need to invest time and efforts and resources. You will need to take it seriously.

You will need to be courageous.

You will need to be courageous and build inclusive leadership capabilities, and you need to look for outcomes.

The outcomes are what matter.

Because the outcomes are what matter. Ultimately, how diverse is your pipeline? How inclusive are your leaders throughout the entire organization, middle management? What kind of outcomes you are driving for your communities, for your customers, for others?