While I could point to numerous studies demonstrating the business benefits of diversity — spanning innovation, engagement, and creativity — I won’t.
Why?
Because embracing diversity isn't just about the figures or the strategic benefits. It's the right thing to do.
Early in my career, I naively believed that by simply keeping my biases in check — during interviews, performance reviews, or when providing growth opportunities — I was doing enough.
However as I progressed in my career, I confronted two truths.
First, the more I learned about this topic, the more I realized how little I knew about both the vastness of challenges and opportunities surrounding it.
Second, and more importantly, was the burning desire I felt to transition from mere awareness to actively being a dedicated ally.
For an expert take and practical insights on this topic, I turned to my friend Lauren Windebank. Lauren is an advocate for diversity in the workplace and co-founder of TRIBE, a community dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of female leaders in male dominated industries.
Here are the invaluable tips she shared, on how we can be better allies for diversity in the workplace:
1. Champion Sponsorship and Mentorship: Act as a mentor in the workplace, advocate for equal opportunity, advancement and foster a culture of respect and support. Create allyship programs and sponsor colleagues for opportunities.
↳Suggested resource: The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships: https://lnkd.in/d-8Txdfi.
2. Listen and Learn: Be open to feedback about your actions and language and listen to others perspectives and experiences. Become self-aware around your own unconscious biases. Set up monthly calls for peer to peer feedback.
↳Suggested resource: Unconscious Bias: https://lnkd.in/dsyckiXY.
3. Educate Yourself and Others: Take time to learn and understand inequality and unconscious biases then share your knowledge and help to educate others on equality. Actively encourage conversation around diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
↳Suggested Resource: Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Learning: https://lnkd.in/d_ZjSnaB.
4. Take Action: Share strategies for implementing diversity and inclusion training programs. Create internal employee resource groups and advocate for the benefits of them.
↳Suggested resource: Employee Resource Groups: https://lnkd.in/dQp7smb3.
Let’s make our workplaces more diverse and inclusive!
Do give Lauren a follow, she posts daily on diversity, leadership and recruitment.
