The Cost of Compromise… Encumbered by DEI by Bob Reish, Caveat Insitute

In today’s business world, leaders face a growing challenge… navigating the pressure to prioritize appearances over ability. While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) may sound good in theory, when it comes at the expense of competence, the results can be costly.

Let me share a real story that illustrates the problem.

The Brown Truck Incident

A client of mine recently sent a package through an anonymous shipping company… you know, the one with brown trucks and brown uniforms. Simple task, right? Well, not this time.

Instead of arriving at its intended destination, the package was mysteriously delivered to a CVS. Now, unless CVS has expanded into the logistics business (news to me!), this was a problem.

When the package was finally discovered, picked up, and delivered correctly, the manager was asked: “What happened?”

The response? The driver was encumbered by DEI.

Translation: This individual wasn’t necessarily the best candidate for the job but was hired to check a box. And that decision… made for optics rather than competence… cost my client time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

The Danger of Prioritizing Identity Over Ability

Now, let’s get one thing straight. I believe in opportunity. I believe in hiring great people from all backgrounds. But when hiring policies focus more on meeting quotas than on ensuring capability, we all lose.

Think about it… would you hire a brain surgeon because they fulfill a diversity requirement? Or would you prefer one who actually knows how to perform surgery?

Leaders understand that when you prioritize anything other than excellence, the cracks start to show. The cost isn’t just a misplaced package… it’s lost productivity, lower standards, and frustrated teams.

What Great Leaders Do Differently

At the Caveat Institute, we emphasize that great leadership starts with great decision-making. And great decisions are made when we hire based on:

Competence – Can this person do the job well? Character – Do they align with the values of the company? Consistency – Can they deliver reliable results?

When you compromise on these principles, you compromise your business. Your job as a leader is to set the standard, not lower it.

Leading in These Crazy Times

We are living in unpredictable times. The pressure to conform, to play politics, to appease the latest trends… it’s everywhere. But true leaders rise above the noise. They focus on what actually matters:

Building a strong business Hiring the best people Creating a culture of excellence

So before making your next hiring decision, ask yourself: Are you choosing excellence, or are you creating excuses?

Because great leaders don’t make excuses. They make things happen.

And that… is the Caveat.

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