The True Cost Of Trends

Welcome to the May edition of #TanaSpeaks with Dr. Tana M. Session. This is a monthly newsletter designed to expand your perspective in the workplace. Don't miss an issue and be sure to +subscribe.

Based on the poll, we’re more open about discussing mental health and wellness at work but that wasn’t always the case. At one point, it was considered taboo to talk about it. There was a serious stigma around mental illness, which still exists to a certain degree. But now, 90% of U.S. adults believe that there’s a mental health crisis in our country – and they’re not wrong.?

Here are some quick facts for you:

• Over 12.1 million American adults have had suicidal thoughts.
• Over 1 in 10 youth in the U.S. have experienced depression which severely impairs their ability to function at school, at work, at home, with family, or in their social life.
• Over half (54.7%) of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, and nearly 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.
• Almost a third (28.2%) of all adults with a mental illness reported that they were not able to receive the treatment they needed.

These numbers are concerning, so it is good that mental health and wellness has been trending on social media for some time now. This allows for an increase in awareness and representation which gives people a space to be vulnerable and open up about their struggles.

The thing with trends though, is that it’s often a double-edged sword: increased and broader awareness, but lacking in knowledge and understanding.?

The issue is when the stigmatization of mental health begins to turn into sensationalism. We cannot fall into the trap of romanticizing mental illness or using it as a means to gain attention. We must also be very careful about misinformation as this can be incredibly damaging and harmful to those receiving unhelpful advice at best, and dangerous advice at worst.?

Mental health awareness is an important part of helping your employees feel like they belong at work. This is why I often emphasize the "B" in DEIB. If we want our employees to feel comfortable expressing themselves, we need to consider how psychologically safe their work environment is.

This is another reason why we must continue to talk about DEIB so that it does not become a "victim of trends". Just like with mental health, DEIB has become stigmatized, sensationalized, and grossly misinformed. So I am going to keep talking about DIEB to ensure others learn and understand why this work is so important.?

Is DEIB just a trend or a fixture of Corporate America?

Some people may be thinking that DEIB is just a passing trend that organizations can opt out of, the result of a political and social justice movement that doesn’t impact them. However, I am here to tell you that DEIB affects EVERYBODY, regardless of your identity.?

DEIB is a commitment to dismantling barriers of access and fostering a workplace culture that actively nurtures equality and equity. It is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic necessity. We know that DEIB can stimulate innovation, creativity, and introduce a broader range of perspectives which serve to move companies forward and allow them to progress with the changing times. There are many more lasting advantages to implementing DEIB as a key part of your organization.?

“Diversity starts at the top”

If top organizations aren’t focusing on DEIB as core to business, the rest of industry won’t be convinced to follow. It must be top down and inside out. Leaders have to set the standard for the rest of their organization to follow, and if they are not on board, it’s unlikely they will be able to create a culture embedded with DEIB.?

Top organizations lead the charge especially when it comes to trends:?

• Ford made DiversityInc’s Top 50 11 times.
• In 2021, L’Oréal became the very first company to receive the new EDGEplus Certification for intersectional gender equity. It also earned a place in the top 10 of the 2020 Refinitiv Diversity & Inclusion Index.
• Johnson & Johnson was listed on DiversityInc’s Top 50 an impressive 14 times, and is a DiversityInc “Hall of Fame” member (inducted in 2018). They are also on the Forbes 2020 list of “The Best Employers for Diversity,” a 2019 “Leading Inclusion Index” member, and 2020 “Top 10 Inclusion Index Member” from “Diversity Best Practices.”

Another great example is ReedSmith. They started their DEIB journey in 2001 – so they are definitely considered a pioneer in DEIB in Law!!!

Yet their data reflects that more growth is needed (see chart above).

Women represent 37.4% of the global leadership team:

• This stat is fairly pervasive across industries for top management roles which shows that to get women or people with diverse backgrounds at this level takes years, possibly decades depending on the state of industry talents.

However this is not to discount the wins:

• 49% of 2023 summer associates represented diverse communities
• 69% of office managing partners represent women & diverse communities

What does this mean??

DEIB is truly a marathon...not a sprint (and possibly a never-ending journey). It takes time when done right. You cannot rush this work or expect results in a week...month...or year. DIEB is focused on undoing and rebuilding systems that have existed in higher education and the workplace for centuries. Change will not happen overnight.

As I mentioned earlier, this is a commitment to lifelong learning and understanding about something that affects each and every one of us in almost every aspect of our lives.?

When initiatives are implemented as a trend you have a variety of outcomes. Some companies take it seriously and DEIB becomes more than a trend…for others...it’s merely a "compliance = check the box" initiative.

Where does your organization stand?

If you want help with embedding DEIB into the soul and DNA of your organization, please reach out! And stay tuned for my new LinkedIn course dropping Summer 2024!

MAY OBSERVANCES:

• Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: This month celebrates and pays tribute to the contributions that generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society and culture. This month is a time to honor the diverse histories and vast pan-ethnic diaspora of people from East, South, and Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
• Jewish American Heritage Month: Each May, hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds join together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day.
• Older Americans Month: This month explores the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues. The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.
• Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental health is wealth, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. The stigma around mental health and treatment has long existed, even though this has started to change. Still, people hesitate to seek help or even talk about it with their loved ones for fear of being judged and facing unnecessary backlash. Simple logic dictates that if we are physically hurting, we must seek treatment to get better. Well, this applies to our mental well-being, too.
• Haitian Heritage Month: This is a great time to celebrate the vibrant culture, distinct art, delectable cuisine, and to get to know people of Haitian origin. Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of the annual Haitian Flag Day, which falls on May 18. Flag Day is observed with much pomp and splendor even by the diaspora. That’s how it found its way to the U.S., a country that’s home to a large Haitian population.
• Military Appreciation Month: This is a declaration that encourages U.S. citizens to observe the month as a symbol of unity. This month honors current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom. May is characterized by six national observances highlighting the contributions of those who have served.
• May 5 - Cinco de Mayo: In the U.S. today, Cinco de Mayo is seen as a day to celebrate the culture and heritage of people with a Mexican background. There is an emphasis on Mexican services and goods, especially food, drinks, music, and dancing!
• May 12 - Mother’s Day: This is a celebration honoring those who play the role of mother in people's lives, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
• May 13-14 - Yom Ha’Atzmaut: This is Israel's National Day, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. It is marked by a variety of official and unofficial ceremonies and observances.
• May 16 - Global Accessibility Awareness Day: The purpose of this day is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.
• May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia: This day aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQ+ rights work worldwide. By 2016, the commemorations had taken place in over 130 countries.
• May 17 - Malcolm X Day: This day is used to show appreciation for Malcolm X, who was a civil rights leader. He was an African American Muslim minister who was a vocal advocate for Black empowerment. He championed the promotion of Islam within the Black community. Malcolm X is also known to be credited with raising the self-esteem of Black Americans since he reconnected the people with their African heritage. The holiday serves to appreciate and celebrate the works he did in his time and the impact he still has on society.
• May 19 - Pentecost: This is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, mother of Jesus and the Apostles of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.
• May 19-25 - National Public Works Week: Across North America, this week is used to energize and educate the public on the importance of public works to their daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating at the heart of their local communities to improve everyday quality of life.
• May 20 - International HR Day: Every year on May 20, we celebrate International HR Day. This is the time for us to shine the spotlight on the valuable and irreplaceable role that HR professionals play in helping your organization succeed.
• May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: This is a global event led by UNESCO and supported by the United Nations. It enables people all around the world to reflect on what diversity is within our culture and cultural heritage. It's also a time to think about why cultural diversity continues to matter in today’s world, and to discuss important issues affecting people of different cultures.
• May 27 - Memorial Day (Federal Holiday): This is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Until next month... Be well and stay safe & healthy!

STOP BEING THE BEST KEPT SECRET (R)

The newest episode of my podcast has dropped! Listen to my conversation with Paul Ladipo, a fellow DEIB content creator here on LinkedIn, as we discuss why DEIB work is important, why it matters, and why we have to keep fighting for it.

Follow and listen to my show on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music.

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