The Future of Diversity
Earlier this year, I read a statistic that reported an 800% increase in job postings related to diversity. This is on top of the estimated $10B spent in 2019 on diversity and inclusion initiatives in corporations.
The truth is, most of these programs won’t work. Not because there isn’t real interest, but because most of these efforts are just focused on the wrong outcomes. As a woman of color who has worked with and for some of the world’s top organizations, I can say that the rhetoric of bringing in talent is just not enough to subvert the revolving door that results when cultures don’t live up to the promises they make.
Based on our interviews with over 300 leaders, we estimate that 80% of the money spent on diversity is focused on bringing equity to organizations. This means that businesses are catching up with demographic trends, and just trying to catch up on bringing in talent that reflects our society. The sad news here is that it’s not enough. Because the best efforts often fail when diverse talent join an organization that is not ready to embrace their voices, lived experiences, or different perspectives.
We’ve found that a better approach is to focus on creating a climate where new ideas are embraced and, dare I say, encouraged. It is in this place that the most impact is made, and it is here where most organizations fail. Why? Because most leaders are stuck in old paradigms of power and control that don’t make enough space for new ideas to flow and exist.
The story is simple if you want to truly advocate diversity and inclusion, open your thinking and embrace other ways of thinking.
