As the Great Resignation continues to make headlines, having a healthy corporate culture is essential to combating turnover. Workers want to feel seen, heard, and valued.  Companies need to step up their efforts to retain talent, foster high-performing teams, and maintain competitive advantage.

Research shows that diverse and inclusive organizations, when compared to their peers, are:

  • 87% more likely to make better decisions, according to Korn Ferry Research
  • 75% faster at bringing products to market, according to the Center for Talent Innovation

Organizations recognize the business case for championing diversity but don’t always know how to achieve that goal.

Bridging the Gap

The value of diversity is widely recognized and can often be mistaken for inclusion, but the two are not synonymous.  A team can be diverse, but in order to thrive everyone must feel welcome, that they belong, and that their voices are heard and respected. An inclusive work environment is one in which people feel supported and empowered to show up each day as their true selves.

Achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization requires a strategic approach. Employees need new ways to think and talk about diversity. Leaders need the right skills to enable equity and inclusion. And organizations need tools to ensure their diversity and inclusion initiatives avoid common mistakes and are sustainable.

At The Propel, we use our Discovery-Insight-Action process to help clients understand the dynamics of DEI in their particular context – and to create a plan that is balanced, effective and aligned with the organization’s goals and commitment.

The Propel DEI Resource Center

As a coach and consultant, I hear from many clients that the volume of DEI research and analysis is overwhelming and they do not know where to start. Especially in such a nuanced and complex area as DEI, the path is unfamiliar and at times uncomfortable.

To that end, we have created The Propel Diversity and Inclusion Resource Center for individuals and organizations who wish to foster inclusive workplaces and communities. This online hub serves as a central source of information that people can access to learn at their own pace and in their own way.

The Resource Center provides a curated collection of book, articles, podcasts and film recommendations to guide learners, no matter where they are on their DEI journeys. In this resource center, find topics including:

–          How to be a DEI Ally

–          Gender Equity

–          Anti-Racism

–          LGBTQ+

–          Persons with Disabilities

–          Veterans

–          DEI Data and Statistics

–           DEI Timeline

In addition, the Resource Center offers clients an opportunity to contribute ideas, actions they are taking, and topic suggestions. We will continue to evolve these resources with input from our community and other experts.

Achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace takes time, patience, and dedication. There are no shortcuts and the process looks different for every organization. Missteps along the way are inevitable but you just have to start. Consider the Resource Center a jumping-off point as you take up this important work.

If you or someone at your organization wants to learn more about The Propel’s DEI Training or other leadership and team development programs, please feel free to contact us.