In recent years, organizations across various sectors have embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to foster a more inclusive and representative work environment. While these efforts are commendable, it is disheartening to acknowledge that many DEI initiatives fail to achieve their intended outcomes. I’m Matteo Stewart, and I am a Senior IDEA Facilitator with Diversio and have worked in a variety of industries, including the Olympics, Global Asset Management, Tech Start-ups, Healthcare, Film Production and have held senior leadership positions, including Executive Director and COO — so I know the importance of any investment and ensuring there is a measurable return on your DEI initiatives. At Diversio, we work with organizations and leaders to make their DEI come to life. That said, far too many leadership folx fall into the trap, thinking they can just hire a DEI consultant to walk in and facilitate a few sessions for their leadership team, front-line staff and then POOF! We wave a magic wand, and all the individuals in their organization become fully proficient and competent in the desired DEI-focused behavioural change.
And we all know that doesn’t happen! Organizational change doesn’t just happen!
I have also seen where an executive has hired a Director of DEI and say, “you are going to have the easiest job because everyone here is so nice”, but then the initiatives that the Director of DEI attempts to bring into the organization stumble or fail to deliver. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key reasons why DEI initiatives often fall short, highlighting the challenges organizations face and how Diversio can work with you on finding solutions for more effective and sustainable change.
Lack of Leadership Commitment
One of the primary reasons DEI initiatives fail is the absence of genuine commitment from organizational leadership. When leadership fails to prioritize DEI and treats it as a buzzword or a check-the-box exercise, meaningful change becomes elusive. Without top-level support, DEI efforts lack the necessary resources, strategic direction, and accountability. Leaders must demonstrate a genuine commitment by actively participating in DEI initiatives, allocating adequate budgets, and incorporating DEI goals into broader organizational objectives. I have seen organizations spend their entire DEI budget on training, but then have no communication plan to support this initiative before and, more importantly, after the training occurred. So, although the employees who attended the workshop thoroughly enjoyed the training and the facilitator when they went back to work the next day, there was no plan to incorporate the lessons learned into their daily life on the job, which meant the behaviours were not reinforced and the expected behavioural change did not happen. Diversio has been working with organizations of all sizes to ensure that the required steps and benchmarks are taken for the success of your DEI investment.
One of the other things we see when a DEI initiative has failed is there was no Executive Sponsor of that initiative. An organization needs an Executive Sponsor for a DEI initiative for several important reasons. When the most senior person responsible for DEI is NOT an equal nor influential partner at the senior leadership team, this is where things fail… so we strongly recommend having a c-suite member of the team become an Executive Sponsor. Having an Executive Sponsor demonstrates top-level commitment and support for the DEI initiative. This is especially true regardless of the size of an organization. When a high-ranking executive publicly champions DEI efforts, it sends a powerful message to the entire organization that these initiatives are a priority. This helps to create a culture of inclusivity and encourages employees at all levels to actively engage and participate in the initiative. Secondly, and equally important in my view, is having an Executive Sponsor who has influence and the ability to drive change within the organization. Executives have the authority to allocate resources, make policy decisions, and implement structural changes necessary for effective DEI initiatives. Their leadership and decision-making power can help remove barriers and ensure that DEI efforts are integrated into the organization’s strategic goals and everyday operations. Additionally, an Executive Sponsor can provide guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to the DEI initiative team. Often the DEI teams in many organizations work in silos and faraway from the front lines. An Executive Sponsor will bring their experience and expertise that can help navigate challenges, provide strategic direction, and connect the initiative with other key stakeholders and leaders in the organization. This support enhances the credibility and visibility of the DEI initiative, facilitating its success.
Superficial Approaches and Tokenism
Another major stumbling block for DEI initiatives is the tendency to adopt superficial approaches or engage in tokenism. Organizations may prioritize diversity numbers without addressing the underlying systemic issues that hinder inclusion. Tokenism, such as hiring a few diverse individuals without providing a supportive environment, only creates an illusion of progress. I have seen this far too many times where the First, Few and Onlys (FFOs) in an organization are paraded around to show how “inclusive” the company is but then do not address any of the daily microaggressions the FFOs face. As an openly gay man, I saw this when an organization I worked for wanted me to speak at company events during Pride month but then refused to do anything in July when I was called a gay slur by another executive. True inclusion requires comprehensive cultural transformation, where all employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversio can work with you to ensure that tokenism does not occur.
Lack of Employee Buy-in and Participation
Sometimes, we might have executive support and a plan for year-round recognition and celebration for DEI, but we do not see any traction at the employee level. When we have low employee buy-in, we not only see DEI initiatives fail, but those organizations are also on a path where culture is curated so that future change initiatives are resisted over time. Often these organizations also had employees who did not regard DEI measurements as credible and did not willingly participate in DEI assessments, measurements and research. We recommend that you find your employee champions, aka your advocates, and if feasible, invest in your Employee Resource Group (ERG), ensuring they have the time and resources that allow employees from different backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and contribute to DEI efforts.
If you don’t recognize and reward active DEI contributions, the momentum is going to slow, and you will not be able to reinforce and sustain any changes. So, we encourage you to find ways to establish recognition programs that acknowledge and celebrate employees’ contributions to DEI initiatives. This could look in a variety of different ways:
- Rolling DEI contributions into your existing recognition programs.
- Create award categories around DEI contributions if you have annual award ceremonies for top sales teams
Failure to Address Implicit Bias
Implicit bias, deeply ingrained societal stereotypes and prejudices that influence decision-making are significant obstacles to achieving DEI goals. Organizations often overlook the need for comprehensive training and education programs to identify and address implicit biases among employees. They continue perpetuating discriminatory practices and hinder progress toward a more inclusive workplace without actively challenging these biases. Addressing implicit bias requires ongoing training, open dialogue, and inclusive policies that actively counteract bias and promote fairness in hiring, promotion, and decision-making processes so that employees not only become aware of their biases but actively work to counteract them and consciously include them instead. Diversio has a team of world-class facilitators who can provide your team with in-person, virtual and asynchronous learning experiences.
Inadequate Measurement and Accountability
Organizations must establish clear metrics and accountability mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of DEI initiatives. However, many initiatives lack adequate measurement frameworks, making tracking progress and identifying improvement areas challenging. Without accountability, DEI efforts can stagnate, and organizations risk losing momentum. Establishing benchmarks, tracking key performance indicators, and conducting regular audits can help organizations stay on track and adapt their strategies as needed. Diversio’s team can work with you on understanding where you currently are with DEI progress benchmarked for your industry and co-create a path forward to have exemplary best practices in measurement and accountability for your organization.
Resistance to Change
Resistance to change and a lack of employee engagement can undermine DEI initiatives. Some employees may perceive these initiatives as threats to their existing positions or perceive them as favouritism towards specific groups. Additionally, without effective communication and employee involvement throughout the process, DEI efforts may be met with skepticism and resistance. It is crucial for organizations to foster a culture of open dialogue, address concerns, and actively engage employees at all levels to ensure that DEI initiatives are understood, embraced, and championed. This is exactly what Diversio’s Learning team can assist with: training combined with our vast resources in conjunction with our consulting services to ensure your team is trained and ready to implement the DEI priorities you wish to strategically implement.
While the importance of DEI initiatives cannot be overstated, it is essential to recognize the challenges that often hinder their success. Lack of leadership commitment, superficial approaches, implicit bias, inadequate measurement, and resistance to change all contribute to the failure of DEI initiatives. Addressing these issues requires a holistic and comprehensive approach, where organizations commit to genuine change, foster inclusive cultures, and actively challenge biases. By understanding and addressing these roadblocks, organizations can take meaningful steps towards creating workplaces that truly embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of all. Diversio is here to be of service to ensure none of these pitfalls entangle your organization.
This blog was authored by Matteo Stewart and was previously published by Diversio EDU (formerly CCDI Consulting) in July 2023.
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