How can you use process design to address power dynamics in diversity, equity, and inclusion negotiations?

1 Assess the context

Before you design a process for a DEI negotiation, you need to understand the context and the stakeholders involved. What are the issues, interests, and goals of each party? What are the sources and levels of power that each party has or perceives? How do the power dynamics affect the communication, trust, and cooperation among the parties? You can use tools such as stakeholder mapping, power analysis, and conflict assessment to gather and analyze this information. This will help you identify the opportunities and challenges for a successful negotiation.

2 Design the process

Based on your assessment, you can design a process that is appropriate, inclusive, and adaptive for your DEI negotiation. A process design should include the following elements: a clear purpose and scope, a set of ground rules and norms, a sequence of steps and activities, a facilitation strategy, and a contingency plan. You can use frameworks such as interest-based negotiation, transformative mediation, or appreciative inquiry to guide your process design. You should also consider how to balance the power dynamics among the parties, such as by providing equal access to information, resources, and participation, or by creating space for dialogue, learning, and empowerment.

3 Facilitate the process

Once you have a process design, you need to facilitate it effectively and respectfully. Facilitation is the skill of guiding and supporting a group process without taking sides or imposing solutions. As a facilitator, you should be aware of your own power and biases, and how they may affect the process and the parties. You should also monitor and manage the power dynamics among the parties, and intervene when necessary to prevent or resolve conflicts, address concerns, or enhance collaboration. You can use techniques such as active listening, reframing, summarizing, questioning, or brainstorming to facilitate the process.

4 Evaluate the process

After you complete a process, you should evaluate its outcomes and impacts. Evaluation is the process of collecting and analyzing feedback and data to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of a process. You can use methods such as surveys, interviews, or observation to collect feedback from the parties and other stakeholders. You can use criteria such as satisfaction, fairness, quality, durability, or learning to analyze the feedback and data. You should also reflect on your own performance and learning as a process designer and facilitator. Evaluation can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your process, and improve your skills and practice.