Inspiring Inclusivity

Recently asked how I would inspire inclusivity in a faculty department at a major university, I had the following suggestions. They were based on my experience teaching at several major universities, including one HBCU and my two decades as an executive speechwriter at two Fortune 50 companies.

·?????? You need to get to know the students, faculty members, and staff. Start by being present. At one university where I was a lecturer, many of the full-time faculty were rarely on campus, came to class a few times a week, and were not there long enough to be familiar with the department, let alone the students.

·?????? To get to know a particularly large group of folks in a department, one thing that helps is to create projects that would cause you to meet with groups. This is a good way to get a sense of the group.

·?? When I was a reporter -- an editorial assistant -- at Newsweek Magazine, I kept hearing complaints from my fellow editorial assistants -- who were not being given enough opportunities to do reporting. Women and persons of color were the most affected. Prior to my joining Newsweek, there was a revolt and things started to change regarding diversity and more opportunities to do reporting. Several of my colleagues believed changes were not happening fast enough. I got together a small group and we asked for a sit-down meeting with Editor-in Chief Oz Elliott and his assistant editor to let them know our concerns. They listened and slowly more changes happened.

·?????? Listen, listen, listen. This is the most overlooked way of knowing others and their key conceerns. The rarest trait related to listening was best expressed by Simone Weil. “L'attention est la forme la plus rare et la plus pure de générosité. ?

·?????? Be an idea person: recommend things especially related to diversity to discuss in faculty meetings or, if you are in business, in your department meetings. Ideas come more easily if one listens to grapevine "issues".

·?????? Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer….if you really want to be a meaningful member of a group, a department at a university or a social media start-up, you need to step up to the plate and volunteer. Don’t wait till someone like a chairperson suggests something. Be on the offensive. I joke with my students about the importance of being offensive. I convinced them that the saying “Be offensive” really works. No, not being a jerk. But being ON the offensive with ideas, etc. “Be Offensive” was just a way of getting attention. Being out there with ideas is the only way to lead in supporting diversity.

·?????? Two of my former students were elected mayors of a American cities. One told me something about listening, leadership, and diversity. If one were really interested in diversity, do something. Start a program. Sponsor a workshop, etc. If what you do doesn’t work, start over with a better idea. My student started lots of things in his city. When a plan didn’t work, he’d changed direction to eventually figure out a way to get things done. Most leaders complain too much and are afraid to admit mistakes or moving in the wrong direction. In a program like the facult group I was in touch with, things are changing so rapidly, one needs to be flexible and move quickly. The more you get to know your team, the better you’ll all work together and get things done. Again, if something doesn't work, change direction, develop a new plan and never give up.

There is no shortage of things one can do to promote diversity in a university department or an organization in the private or public sectors. My final recommendation: find out the best things being done in universities and companies around the world to promote diversity. Then come up with actions/programs that are even better and more effective.

Start now!