What do you do if your team lacks diversity and inclusion?

“Lacking diversity” is most likely a perception, not a reality as all human groups are diverse, we just might not be aware of people’s identities, perspectives and intersections between them. Only through creating a safe space for getting to know the team members better, it’s truly possible to understand who might be underrepresented and whose voices are not heard. It’s the inclusion we need to focus on to be able to benefit from that diversity and that comes through a mix of structures and processes that ensure equal opportunities but also individual behaviors, addressing micro aggressions and bias. It’s a process of building psychological safety, changing decision-making processes and speaking up whenever acts of exclusions are spotted.

If your team lacks diversity and inclusion, it's crucial to take proactive steps to foster a more inclusive environment. Start by assessing current hiring practices and implementing strategies to attract and retain diverse talent. Provide diversity and inclusion training to educate team members on the importance of embracing different perspectives and experiences. Create opportunities for open dialogue and collaboration to ensure all voices are heard and valued. Additionally, establish policies and practices that promote equity and fairness in all aspects of the workplace. Regularly review and assess progress towards diversity and inclusion goals, making adjustments as needed to create a more inclusive team culture.

To accurately assess reality and identify potential problems, analyzing available DEI data is crucial. If data are lacking or flawed, it's necessary to reflect and address this issue. A data-driven approach facilitates the precise problem identification. Depending on the stage of the employee cycle, challenges may arise during recruitment, where attracting diverse talent may be difficult. They may also emerge during employee retention, with discriminatory promotion or remuneration policies, or if employees feel unable to fully express themselves. A holistic understanding is gained by analyzing key documents (DEI policies), and engaging in conversations with leadership and employees. Only then can interventions be designed to foster DEIB.

To address a lack of diversity and inclusion in your team, initiate open discussions about the importance of diversity, implement unbiased hiring practices, and offer diversity training. Encourage diverse perspectives, create a safe space for dialogue, and establish mentorship programs. Regularly assess and adjust diversity initiatives to ensure inclusivity. Prioritize building a culture of respect and understanding, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Creating a space for honest and open conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical. These discussions can be uncomfortable but necessary for addressing the underlying issues contributing to exclusion. Encourage team members to share their experiences and perspectives and listen actively to their concerns. It's important to approach these conversations with empathy, openness, and a willingness to learn from each other.Team dynamics significantly affect how individuals interact and participate within the group. It's important to observe and evaluate how team members communicate, collaborate, and make decisions.

Goals are wonderful. They are tangible. You can work towards them together, fostering team building. But always remember... often it's about how people feel. Don't forget to find out how people feel.

Education is very important yes, but awareness on a day to day basis will make a key difference. Diversity and inclusion is about more than just race, gender, abilities or age. It's about including the entire workforce. I will never forget a friend telling me about how their company was trying to be more inclusive for parents who were struggling with work life balance. They arranged a committee to discuss it, which was wonderful. They scheduled their first call at 3pm, which is exactly the time that most parents have to collect their kids from school!! Even with the best intentions, it's very easy to make simple mistakes. Awareness is key!

Fostering inclusion is not just about asking how people feel but also making sure that their responses are heard and understood. Respecting each other's differences is the first step. Work towards celebrating differences!