Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Enhance Organizational Resilience
Companies that intentionally pursue a more diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) culture are more prone to be resilient in times of crisis. In fact, these companies tend to be more proactive in responding to change, often minimizing or avoiding a crisis altogether.
This quote from Forbes summarizes why organizations prioritizing DEI are more resilient:
“Since a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace fosters more innovative and creative teams, a company embracing DE&I would be more resilient to a crisis than a homogenous one.”
We define DEI in the workplace as follows:
Diversity: A diverse group of individuals that has different: ethnic, religious, or cultural origins; races; genders; abilities; and/or orientations, among other characteristics that make a group unique.
Equity: Despite barriers, limitations, and/or differences, everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard, seen, and valued. Merriam-Webster defines equity as “freedom from bias or favoritism.”
Inclusion: An organization that actively includes – and encourages the inclusion of – members of the workplace, and creates “an authentic and empowered participation and a true sense of belonging.” (Annie E. Casey Foundation)
DEI makes sense. A diverse group or network of individuals that is thriving in an inclusive organization and treated equitably is more likely to work well together as a team - and generate the best ideas as a result. People with diverse backgrounds can complement each other and improve the quality of output in a team brainstorming process.
“Strategic resilience is not about responding to a one-time crisis or rebounding from a setback… It's about having the capacity to change even before the case for change becomes obvious.”
- Gary Hamel and Liisa Välikangas, Harvard Business Review
Today, more than ever, businesses need to be resilient and agile in supply chain and digital platforms. Is your entire team considering all the What if? scenarios during times of uncertainty?
“A truly resilient organization can both respond to and adjust effectively to external shocks (that is, it has defensive adaptability) and flex and stretch to seize new opportunities (offensive agility).”
Is your organization on the offensive or defensive end of the resilience spectrum? If you’re starting out with a diverse team and prioritizing equity and inclusion, you’re already several steps ahead in the game of organizational resilience.
ELEVATE NEXT is a strategic business consulting and digital marketing firm with more 10 years of ELEVATING organizations to the NEXT level. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to develop a customized plan to grow your business profitably.
