From Dull Meal to Vibrant Potluck: Why DEIB is the Secret Ingredient for Organizational Success!

By Betty Ng and James McKim, PMP, ITIL

Let's be honest, the words "diversity", “equity”, "inclusion" and “belonging” (DEIB) can sometimes make people roll their eyes harder than a teenager being asked to take out the trash. But stick with us here, because ignoring DEIB in your organization is like baking leavened bread without any yeast. It just ain't gonna rise, folks.

Now, we’re not saying you need to start hosting weekly DEIB events. We’re saying that prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just some buzzword-laden corporate fad diet. It's a recipe for a healthier, more vibrant, and higher-performing organization… a place where employees feel that they belong and are dedicated to organizational success.

## The Benefits and Pleasures of Well-Executed DEIB??

When you create an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, the benefits of this sense of belonging are as plentiful as a potluck with a broad array of delicious treats to be enjoyed.

For starters, you'll have a richer pool of perspectives, experiences, and ideas to draw from to drive business opportunities. That's like having a whole spice rack (instead of just salt) at your disposal when you’re cooking. Your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and innovation will be off the charts!

But it's not just about cooking up better ideas (although that's a pretty tasty perk). Studies from McKinsey, Forbes, and others show that companies with high levels of diversity and inclusion enjoy higher employee engagement (27%), retention (50%), and earnings (38%). Because let's face it, who doesn't want to work in an environment where they feel like they truly belong? Who doesn’t want to experience these benefits and resulting pleasures of a well-executed DEIB effort?

## The Pains of Deficient DEIB?

On the flip side, neglecting DEIB can leave your organization feeling about as lively as a potluck where everyone brings exactly the same thing. A lack of diverse perspectives can lead to groupthink, blind spots, and missed opportunities. It's like trying to bake a soufflé with missing ingredients. You might get something edible, but it's not going to be what you wanted.

Even worse, a non-inclusive culture can breed resentment, disengagement, and high turnover rates. And we all know how expensive and disruptive it is to constantly be hiring and training new employees. It's like having to start a new recipe from scratch every time someone leaves the kitchen. Also, think about the significant harm all this does to your reputation and your ability to attract top talent to help your organization succeed. Sounds pretty painful, right?

## An Enjoyable DEIB Potluck Needs Planning and Effort

So, how do we instead create a delicious organizational potluck maximizing the pleasure and minimizing the pain associated with DEIB??

Of course, creating a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization isn't as simple as organizing a potluck. Our experience helping organizations with strategies to effectively implement DEIB shows that it takes planning and commitment.?

To have a truly great potluck that people enjoy (and would jump at the chance to do again), the environment needs to be properly established with guidelines and some structure (including a sign-up sheet or some other way of coordinating who brings what). This is akin to having policies and procedures to ensure smooth operations.

It is important to remember also that culture is ultimately the sum of the individuals. Therefore, individual behavior is critical.? Mindfulness of consciously inclusive behaviors should be reinforced to foster a true sense of belonging for all - where everyone can partake in the pleasures of DEIB. As we’ve found through sharing and teaching our TAIQTM (Think, Act, Interact Quotient) consciously inclusive behaviors, reinforcing such positive behaviors in everyday interactions can lead to measurable and perceivable improvements in how teams are rated.??

Creating such an environment certainly takes ongoing effort, commitment, and a willingness to learn and adapt. But the payoffs – in terms of innovation, engagement, and overall organizational health – are well worth the work. And it can and should be fun, just like trying out new foods at a potluck. We have found that by making DEIB fun, rather than rolling their eyes, stakeholders are excited to engage in the work.

## Creating the Best DEIB Potluck Together

So, stop rolling our eyes at DEIB and start rolling up our sleeves instead. Because at the end of the day, we all want to be part of something greater than ourselves – a vibrant, thriving organization where everyone feels like they have a seat at the table and can enjoy the potluck of different foods they now have the pleasure to try.

Just like a potluck, no one person should ever feel that they have to do all the DEIB work themselves. It’s about including everyone and building a community together. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing on an ongoing basis.

If you have challenges with bringing your DEIB potluck together, know that there is a community here to support you.? Please feel free to reach out with any questions and to share examples of pleasures and/or pains you’ve experienced in your DEIB journey.