If you're in Talent, you're in DEI!

Does anyone write articles on LinkedIn anymore? I haven't written one in quite a while but the way I scream this in my head everyday, I just had to. In the words of Kendrick Lamar, "sometimes you gotta pop out and show people..." :)

People think DEI is not a thing anymore...Well it is (sorry, not sorry). It's just not "a thing" though, it's a way of life. If you are in TALENT and you're not thinking and actioning around Diversity, EQUITY (shoutout to orgs that don't eliminate this part), and inclusion you aren't doing your job right (and you would definitely not be able to work for me). Let's be honest, we are the ushers in the church escorting people to their seats, we set the mood, champion the tone, and build the excitement. Yes yes, I know leadership and hiring teams play a huge role in this and they can make or break what we set up. Guess what, YOU have power.

What is this power that I speak of ...it's called INFLUENCE. It's the thing that gives voice to what's right. Common sense has got to be common. There are systemic injustices, bias, inequity and straight up discrimination that happens in the interview and hiring process and as a Talent leader you can speak to it and STOP it. Not only can you stop it but you can be proactive and speak truth to power to the people that you work with as their partners in this work.

I'm glad I work at a place where I can speak up without fear. When I started my recruiting career I thought I just had to put the butts in the seats. Talent, thank goodness has evolved (a little-still got work to do). It's the most entrepreneurial role in the HR world. We run our desks. SO what does that mean? You should do what's right whether or not people are looking, like build diverse teams, without fear of retribution or retaliation. So Talent folks, let's stop playing and in the words of Mary J. Blige, "we don't need no hateration, holleration in this dancery", we need the talent leaders to step up and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion the way it should be done. FULL STOP!

You are not a "diversity" recruiter, it's just recruiting...the RIGHT way. Let's get it!

*Opinions and thoughts are my own.