Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been a hot topic in the past few years, as companies and organizations have been striving to be more inclusive, equitable, and diverse. However, there is obviously still much learning and work to do around ways to advocate for more DEI.

While there is a large misconception around the fact that DEI work has to be done at the highest levels of management, the reality is this work can be completed at all levels of the organization. DEI work is not just the responsibility of management or leadership, although much of its outcome is heavily impacted by the “tone at the top”. In the simplest form, DEI is the responsibility of each and every individual in an organization. In this sense, everyone (including YOU!) can contribute to and advocate for increased diversity, equity and inclusion at work.

How You Can Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Your Workplace

1. Educate Yourself & Your Colleagues About Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The meaning of DEI has been evolving over time, still, a lot is needed to be learned about it. You need to learn about what it truly encompasses, and the best ways to implement it. It is therefore crucial to start by educating yourself and your colleagues in the process. Educating ourselves on DEI can be done in many ways, from reading books to consulting related studies. Some interesting books to consider about this topic are:

• The Memo by Minda Harts
• So you want to talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• Yellow by Frank H. Wu

Related Studies that can help include:

• McKinsey’s 2015 Why Diversity Matters report on public companies
• Morgan Stanley’s 2016 research on “Why it Pays to Invest in Gender Diversity”
• “The Other Diversity Dividend” report by the Harvard Business Review.

All of these are valuable tools to gain more information on DEI and its positive impact on productivity, innovation and creativity.

What you need to do is read and share books and studies about diversity, equity and inclusion in your workplace, department or team. Educating yourself and others can bring about a real difference in how you work with others, as well as how your direct professional environment deals with DEI.

2. Contribute to Changing Your Workplace’s Culture

Diversity, equity and inclusion must be reflected in the workplace’s culture for it to effectively have an impact. A diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is one where everyone can freely contribute, show up as their authentic selves, and be treated equitably. Changing a workplace culture towards increased diversity, equity and inclusion requires everyone’s input and collaboration.

It starts with assessing where the organization stands in terms of DEI, and being honest about the culture of the place. This can be done by asking for feedback and being open to individuals’, teams and units’ assessments of your workplace.

It also requires displaying empathy and being open to differences of opinion and even disagreements and conflicts in the process. Yet, as challenging a process as it can be, it also has the potential of identifying the blocks and obstacles that are standing in the way of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture.

Be part of the culture change at your organization, in whatever capacity you can.