Listen up! How to navigate the ‘politics’ of DEI policies

Leonie Green asks what we can learn from the recent United States election about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) – and how that can inform the implementation of DEI policies within our firms.

In short:

• Deep listening and understanding viewpoints other than your own are keys to successfully implementing DEI strategies.

• Anticipating and addressing any pushback to DEI strategies is crucial to ensure they do not cause unintended negatives for an organisation.

• Make sure all people in the business are clear on where a DEI strategy fits within the business and how it will contribute to its future.

It has been hard to ignore the recent United States election, with all its fanfare and craziness that are the making of easy headlines and clickbait.

It has also been very clear just how little listening seems to be happening between the major players (on both sides) and their supporters. The country is divided. As a society we are getting better and better at shouting (keyboard-warrior style) and increasingly incompetent (it seems) at having respectful conversations that are based on wanting to better understand another person’s viewpoint.

This turn of events makes me think of the sage advice from author Stephen Covey courtesy of his 5th habit from the best-selling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Seek first to understand, then to be understood. If only we saw more of this, in politics, in life and in our workplaces.

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