Prioritizing Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are a tandem skill set that companies are seeking to embrace. Some, as part of a growing trend to stay competitive and within the latest trends; others as a top priority to create a successful corporate culture. 

I’ve made a point to engage in meaningful conversation and elicit dialogue probing the questions of: What is workplace diversity and why is it important? 

Here are my thoughts on both:

Yesterday, Admiral Capital Group announced the hiring of Minnie Allison, formerly of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and most recently, Matthews Real Estate. She joins the team as Senior Asset Manager and will support the firm’s acquisition efforts, specifically regarding the real estate portfolio. I’m absolutely thrilled by this news. 

I remember having conversations with the Admiral team about my desire to see diverse individuals at the table. They shared this objective and made a conscious effort to embrace diversity within their hiring practices, showing a corporate commitment to awareness and inclusion. 

When we think of diversity in the corporate arena, it’s easy to generalize this goal as seeking to hire a specific race or gender. Once you do, you can check that box and consider your company diverse. But diversity extends far deeper. I define diversity, not just in terms of ethnicity, age, level of education or gender, but also as diversity of thought and experience. It’s about bringing different ideas and perspectives to the equation to ensure that your company is reaching and satisfying the needs of the greatest number of people, where no one is excluded. 

But diversity is only one half of the winning equation. Often, companies forget about inclusion – the idea that all employees have a seat at the table. 

It’s not enough to recruit diverse talent. Development, opportunity for growth, and a sense of value is what contributes to retention, collaboration, and ultimately, success. It begins with leadership and a genuine objective to build the most comprehensive and well-equipped team, and continues with a commitment to providing opportunities and resources for all members of a company to thrive.

If organizations make it a priority to break through bias and hire the most qualified people -- those with the right education, experience, skill sets, and talent -- a diverse workforce will be the natural result. 

Admiral Capital is the perfect example of that. 

Congratulations to Minnie Allison on her new role!