How do you share diversity and inclusion goals with staff?

1 Define your vision

Before you can share your diversity and inclusion goals with your staff, you need to have a clear and compelling vision of what they are and why they matter. Your vision should align with your institution's mission, values, and strategic plan, as well as reflect the needs and aspirations of your diverse community. You should also be able to articulate how your goals will benefit the quality of education, the well-being of students and staff, and the reputation of your institution. Having a well-defined vision will help you communicate your goals with clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm.

2 Engage your staff

Sharing your diversity and inclusion goals with your staff is not a one-way transmission of information, but a two-way dialogue that invites feedback, input, and collaboration. You should engage your staff in various ways, such as surveys, focus groups, workshops, or committees, to understand their perspectives, concerns, and suggestions regarding diversity and inclusion. You should also acknowledge and appreciate their existing efforts and achievements in this area, and highlight the best practices and success stories within your institution. By engaging your staff, you will build trust, rapport, and ownership among them.

4 Model the way

Sharing your diversity and inclusion goals with your staff is not only a matter of words, but also of actions. As an educational leader, you should model the way by demonstrating your commitment, accountability, and responsibility for diversity and inclusion in your own practice. You should also lead by example by showing respect, empathy, and curiosity for the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of your students and staff. Furthermore, you should role model the values and behaviors that you expect from your staff, such as openness, honesty, courage, and humility.

5 Celebrate and improve

Sharing your diversity and inclusion goals with your staff is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires constant communication, feedback, and recognition. You should celebrate and appreciate your staff's efforts and achievements in advancing diversity and inclusion, and recognize their contributions and impacts. You should also solicit and provide constructive feedback to your staff, and encourage them to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, you should review and update your goals regularly, and adapt them to the changing needs and realities of your institution and community.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?