The Future of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

As we consider the trajectory of work in the coming years, it’s clear that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are not just buzzwords – they are critical components of building a healthy and prosperous workplace culture. (We already knew that, but the world didn’t seem to until recently.)

Historically, DEIB has been approached as a compliance matter , with organizations primarily engaging in these efforts to avoid legal challenges. However, today's businesses understand that fostering diversity is not only advantageous to their bottom line, but it is also a moral imperative.

The Future of DEIB

The future of DEIB in the workplace is looking so bright, you're gonna need shades to keep up with all the coolness! Here are several exciting trends to watch for.

1. Employee Resource Groups

ERG s are all about connecting people with similar interests or backgrounds. Most often they are focused on groups like LGBTQ+ community, Black, Asian-American, and other “mainstream” groups. However, you might also consider ERGs for single parents, people with a disability and/or parents of children with disabilities, and more.?

Providing this safe space where employees can hang out, talk about stuff that really matters to them, and support each other, contributes to work feeling more enjoyable and less lonely.

2. Use of technology to promote DEIB

Companies are finding innovative ways to promote DEIB as remote work, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence continue to expand in the workplace.

For example, some major corporations, such as Walmart, Ford, and Coca-Cola, are leveraging virtual reality technology to help employees experience different perspectives and understand the impact of their actions on others. What if you could walk a day in the shoes of someone with an entirely different background to understand their reality? How powerful would that be!

3. Training and development

Talent development is vital to sustainable business growth and success. That’s why companies are investing more in training and development to nurture the potential of their workforce and build inclusive work environments. Since it turns out that “acting like an adult” is a lot harder than the people who use that phrase think it is, it’s important to provide ongoing learning opportunities around empathy, communication, giving and receiving feedback, creating trust, psychological safety, being an upstander, and everything else that goes into fostering a respectful workplace culture.

If you’re unsure where to start with your training and development initiatives, of course, we specialize in creating customized training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of your team, so you can be sure you're getting the best possible results!

Finally…

When it comes to DEIB, language matters…and it’s constantly evolving. Are you using the right terminology in your organization? Check out our DEI Terminology Cheat Sheet and stay informed and educated on proper language and best practices in DEIB!

As we look ahead to the future of work, one thing is clear - diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are going to be major players in shaping workplace culture. It won't be easy, but if we all put in the effort - from the bigwig corporations to the small shops - we can make it happen.

And you know what? It's totally worth it. A diverse and inclusive workplace not only makes everyone feel good, but it also helps companies attract top talent, reach new markets, and come up with some seriously cool ideas!

Sincerely,

Anya Soto , Jennifer Areola & The Civility Partners Team